Having remained winless in our last two visits to Craven Cottage, Mikel Arteta was determined to change the script this time, and thanks to Leandro Trossard’s second half goal, that’s exactly what happened.
Our sixth league win of the season – and ninth in all competitions – was built on another hard-working, defensively sound performance, for our eighth clean sheet of the campaign.
“I’m really pleased,” the boss said afterwards. “We experienced in the last two seasons how difficult it is to win here, and we have experienced it today again. I love the mindset of the team.
“We didn't start in the best way, with some giveaways that provoked certain momentum for them, with some defending organisation moments, but after that the team started to build momentum, to be very dominant throughout the game.
“And it was about keeping consistent, You have to be very patient against this team. They are really well organised, they know how to adjust things, and they are very solid. We tried in different ways, we could have scored much earlier than we did, but at the end we found a way to do it through a set-piece after waiting a lot.”
Trossard’s goal means that we have had ten different goalscorers in the league so far this season, the most of any team in the league.
“That's a great thing to have around the team,” Mikel added, “because we are not relying on an individual or two to do that. The fact that the goals can come from different ways as well, that's another thing that is very important. And again, another clean sheet. I don't think we conceded a shot on target again today, which is a great foundation to give us the possibility to win games.
“I think it's another thing that we do exceptionally well, and things that we can still improve. And the team asks, ’Ok, where are those margins and how can we get better?’ And between all of us, especially the coaches, that assist a lot with the players, try to build that, because it's going to help us a lot.”
Mikel also praised the way his whole team worked to keep the clean sheet, and said the tone is set by the forward players first of all.
“Absolutely. The way our front line chases the ball, puts people under pressure, creates chaos there, it's phenomenal. The level of organisation I'm very pleased with, but it's more about the mindset and the willingness to do it.”
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