Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta is in his fifth season as Arsenal boss
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was left in a laughing fit after he was quizzed on the various pregnancies of his players' partners at the end of his post-match press conference.
The Spaniard received an early Christmas present on Saturday (December 21) when his side ran out 5-1 winners away to Crystal Palace as they moved at lest temporarily within three points of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Despite Bukayo Saka being forced off due to injury in the 24th minute, the Gunners continued to flourish without the England international in what turned out to be their biggest victory of the league season.
An early brace from Gabriel Jesus as well as goals from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice mean only London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have scored more goals than Arteta's men.
[
Gabriel Jesus sends defiant message to Mikel Arteta as he ends Premier League record](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/gabriel-jesus-arsenal-premier-league-34358950)
During his post-match press conference, the former Arsenal captain was questioned about Havertz's celebration which saw the German put the ball under his shirt and sucked his thumb. It was later revealed that he and his wife Sophia Weber are expecting a baby.
It was an identical celebration to Jesus' in midweek when he bagged a hat-trick against Palace in Arsenal's 3-2 Carabao Cup quarter-final win. Arteta was asked: "I noticed in the week Gabriel Jesus celebrated his goal by the pregnancy thing. Kai Havertz has done the same today because his partner's pregnant and I hear that Martin Odegaard's wife is pregnant as well.
Kai Havertz
The German striker celebrated his goal by putting the ball under his shirt
"Is there anything you need to tell us about what you're giving the players?" Failing to muster up a response, Arteta could only burst out laughing before quickly getting up and leaving the press conference, telling the various members of the media: "Merry Christmas, have a great one for you and your family! Thank you so much!"
In what was Arsenal's fourth win in their last six league games, Arteta admitted that his squad needed a victory of that magnitude, considering they've dropped points in their last two games.
Following the game, Arteta said: "I’m very happy that we won, we needed that win, especially after the two draws but in general, looking at the 10 games, no defeats in the last seven. We’ve won five and gotten two draws, and we’ve deserved to win all of them so it’s good."
The north London outfit are back in action after Christmas on Friday (December 27) when they host Ipswich Town.
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