Mikel Arteta pointed to Arsenal's maturity and ability to control different moments after their 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park.
For Arteta, this was a night that underlined how far Arsenal have come since their last trip to Villa Park. Bukayo Saka's decisive goal sealed a 1-0 win, but it was the composure and maturity on display that caught the manager's eye.
Returning to the scene of last season's 2-1 defeat, the Gunners produced a far more controlled performance. Unai Emery's side were kept at arm's length, failing to register a single shot on target as the visitors protected Saka's 59th-minute breakthrough.
Arteta admitted the memories of that defeat had stayed with him and had been used in the build-up to Monday night's game.
“That was still in my tummy and I spoke to the players about it,” Arteta said in his post-match press conference. “That image when the players were on the floor totally got it. It was a really difficult one to take.
“We use that to bring energy, to bring more conviction and belief, to understand the difficulty of the challenge that we had ahead.”
It was far from one-way traffic, especially in a first half where both sides had their moments, but Arsenal held strong to deny Villa from a single shot on target. What stood out for Arteta was the way his team weathered the tougher spells, refusing to let Villa dictate the tempo for long.
“When we have to suffer, we did suffer,” he said. “And when we have to be really dominant, we were. So I'm really pleased.”
Arteta Saw Arsenal Maturity at Villa Park
Afterwards, Arteta was asked directly about the contrast with last season's disappointment at Villa Park.
“It was very different,” he said. “And that shows a lot of maturity. That shows as well the trust that we have in the players to change momentum and to understand what the game needed.”
Arsenal needed changes to get a result over the line.
Eberechi Eze replaced Christos Tzolis at half-time and was involved in the build-up to Saka's winner, with Riccardo Calafiori providing the low cross for the England international to score his second of the season.
Bruno Guimaraes was also introduced after missing the opening Premier League victory over Coventry City through injury, while Ezri Konsa made his Arsenal debut against the club he had left earlier this summer.
Konsa's debut was forced perhaps earlier than expected, with Cristhian Mosquera unable to finish the match after feeling a twinge; Arsenal suddenly found themselves needing fresh legs at centre-back for the run-in.
Konsa signed for Arsenal from Villa just 10 days before making his Arsenal debut at Villa Park [REUTERS]
Konsa signed for Arsenal from Villa just 10 days before making his Arsenal debut at Villa Park [REUTERS]
Arteta was particularly impressed by how Konsa handled returning to Villa Park so soon after his transfer.
“Ezri makes a debut in really difficult circumstances because it's not easy emotionally to come here and play,” Arteta said. “And he looks so composed, so calm, so in control.”
Those changes summed up the night for Arteta.
Instead of dwelling on back-to-back wins, Arteta opened his press conference by calling it a 'squad victory', keen to stress that everyone played their part, whether starting or coming off the bench.
“I think it was a squad victory today and everybody that was involved in the game in any capacity made a difference for us,” Arteta said.
“With the depth that we have and with the quality that we have, if we really make that count, that's going to be a massive weapon for us.”
Villa Park has always been a tough place for the Gunners to visit and this trip was no different. Arsenal had to dig in, manage the swings in momentum, and hold onto a slender lead on the road.
They managed it without giving Villa a single shot on target, making it two wins from two and two clean sheets to start the Premier League campaign.
Asked whether that level of effort and application would be important in another title challenge, Arteta's response was immediate.
“100%,” he said. “In the Premier League away from home, when you come to these quality squads, these quality coaches that they know how to make life really tough for you, you really have to be at it.
“And I think consistently throughout the game and individually, I think we did that really well.”