Mikel Arteta came out with a strong statement, saying “it’s my opinion” that **Chelsea**are the best offensive outfit in the Premier League after **Arsenal**beat their rivals 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners gained a four-point gap over ****Nottingham Forest****ahead of the international break and showed that they were a class above the Blues on the day, hardly having to get out of second gear.
Yet, Arteta has a high opinion of the opposition. Though injuries and an absence of ideas in the final third have hampered their attack, the 42-year-old believes they are a team to watch out for next year.
‘We are capable of competing consistently’
Arteta was happy to see a triumph for the first time in three league outings for his players.
“I’m very happy obviously with the result, with big parts of that performance. I love the attitude of the team from the beginning, the way we approached it, how aggressive we were with our goal to score.”
Not for the first time, the 42-year-old critiqued the lack of ruthlessness in the final third.
“A lot of chances that we didn't put away and then we continue to do a lot of the things defensively so well and the right to attack open spaces and so many situations of huge advantages that we just gave away. Then we have to drive back 70 metres and, in that phase, probably we've been one of the best teams in the world today because we were unbelievable the way we've done it.”
On the other hand, the hosts hardly let any threat arrive at their goal. They have conceded only 24 goals this season— three less than league leaders Liverpool— and have the tightest defence in the division. As****David Raya****kept his eleventh clean sheet of the campaign, credit went to the rearguard.
“We haven't conceded almost anything apart from that strange save from David I would say, and that's a big credit to the team because in my opinion they are the best attacking team in the league.”
The attention turns to the visit of **Fulham**in a fortnight as **Arsenal**attempt to rebuild towards their 13-game unbeaten streak in London derbies that had lasted more than a year. The team also has a formidable record in Big Six fixtures, avoiding any losses in their last ten contests with the English elite.
“We are capable of competing consistently with really high standards against any kind of opposition and if we continue to do those things, we will get rewarded.”
‘The way he’s approaching it is incredible’
The only goal of the game came from a set-piece in the 20th minute as Mikel Merino met a corner kick delivery from Martin Odegaard. Though this tool has been one of the biggest pieces in their repertoire this season, the Gunners had not scored from a set-piece since a 1-1 draw with Fulham. Arteta was glad to see his players rewarded for their efforts by breaking a three-month dry spell.
“We worked on something similar with that finish, to be fair it was a different kind of finish planned, but we’re very happy because that would generate the lift in the team again. Even in the stadium the crowd, that we can score because it's something that we're missing. When we've been so prolific on that and with the amount of injuries we had to deal with in the front line, so very happy with that.”
It is the third league goal that Merino has scored since his switch to the role of the central forward— and his fifth of the campaign. Only Gabriel MartinelliandKai Havertzhave more strikes this season than the Spaniard. His compatriot credited his commitment to learning this new position.
“That was the emergency situation that we are in at the moment but the way he's approaching it is incredible, he wants to understand everything, he wants to learn from it, he's very critical of himself all the time and at the end the reality is he's winning football matches for us, which is incredible.”
The manager also mentioned the importance of the effort. It is the third timehe has scored a winning goal afterhe put the team ahead againstBrentfordand****Leicester City****in earlier victories this year.
“It’s the value of it, it's a big match and at the end you win the game because of that goal. He had another big chance that almost put him back on the net, so very happy with his contribution.”
‘Everything I’ve seen says it’
The media quizzed Arteta again about his belief the Blues are the best attacking team in the league.
“Stats say it and everything that I've seen, say it. They can open you up, they can run in transition, they have individual quality, any player in the defensive line can throw you in behind, they can combine on both sides, on weak sides and they are missing some big players as well at the moment.”
Scepticism is not unreasonable. ****Enzo Maresca****has the joint fourth highest scorers in the top tier. A 53-goal tally equals the Gunners, who have faced scrutiny for their lack of firepower this season.
But Cole Palmer,Nicolas Jackson, andNoni Madueke, their three top scorers this season, were all missing from the squad in this toothless display. Arteta also admitted that he thought their schedule, with fixtures on Thursday due to their spot in theConference League, had an impact on their energy.
“I think [they will a be contenders next season.] I think they wouldn't have to play Thursday, Saturday and the amount of injuries that they had as well, they were on the edge because of the manager that they have that is really good and the players and the squad, obviously the quality that they have.
“It’s my opinion. I have a lot of data, the objective one, what it says and as well as what I see in the games that they play but I might be wrong, I don't know.”