Arsenal have strengthened their case for a top four finish with a fine win on their trip to Chelsea. Eddie Nketiah’s brilliant brace helped the Gunners win 4-2 against their London rivals. This win will boost their morale and keep them well and truly in contention for a top four finish.
Ahead of the match, there were plenty of questions regarding Mikel Arteta’s team selection as he did not have a number of first team players available starting Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey and Alexandre Lacazette. So young Eddie Nketiah led the lines and ended the match as one of the protagonists for the Gunners in this famous win.
While the other changes were Rob Holding and Mohamed Elneny. Nketiah was fantastic with his brace as he helped Arsenal take the lead in the game when he scored the opening goal in the 13th minute. He then again came back in the second half to increase Arsenal’s lead in the 57th minute. Apart from that Rob Holding and Elneny were also pretty good in their first London derby win after three consecutive defeats.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta shared how he was very impressed with the players who came into the starting eleven for this game. He felt that these players have waited for their chances for a long time and we they got one they made it count.
“What I’ve been saying all the time about Eddie. When you look at him in training and how humble he is all the time, good things happen. Good things happen to good people. The same with Mo Elneny and Rob Holding,” Arteta said at the post match press conference.
Arsenal fought against all odds and injury concerns to come out as winners at the Stamford Bridge against the Blues, who have been very consistent this season in the Premier League. Therefore it was a show of character and belief, something that Arteta appreciated.
“What I love is the spirit of these players. When you lose matches you get punished and criticised but with these players I don’t care because they’re growing. For us to win a London derby away the way we did it I’m really happy as well”
Lastly, Mikel Arteta shared what he said to the Arsenal players ahead of the match against Chelsea that motivated them as a unit. “I said to them if you want to play Champions League football you have to come to places like this and win,” he signed off.
