Arsenal secured an opening day win at Manchester United but Mikel Arteta admits they were not satisfied with their performance despite securing another Old Trafford success
Mikel Arteta underlined how much improving Arsenal have to do despite seeing off Man Utd
Mikel Arteta underlined how much improving Arsenal have to do despite seeing off Man Utd
Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal now find themselves "unsatisfied" with wins at Manchester United despite previously going years without a success at Old Trafford in the Premier League.
The Gunners got their season off to the ideal start as they battled to a 1-0 win over the Red Devils, who were the better team for large periods, but couldn't breach David Raya's goal. Riccardo Calafiori's early header ultimately settled the game with the visitors having to dig in.
Patrick Dorgu hit the post in what was one of United's 22 efforts on goal with their new look attack causing numerous problems. Arsenal's defence held firm though and, like Liverpool and Manchester City, they begin the year with three points.
Arteta admitted that Arsenal now leave Manchester with a feeling of dissatisfaction despite their win, which completes a huge turnaround given that Old Trafford was rarely a place they enjoyed success. Before Arsenal won their in 2020 they hadn't won a league game on the red side of Manchester for 14 years.
Now Sunday's win marks their second win in their last three visits and Arteta said: "Massive [to get the result], to come here with the atmosphere and the new signings. We have to be humble about how we scored the goal and game are won in both boxes which is what we did today."
"I look at the players faces and they want much more. We know that we are much better than certain moments we played. I think before I came here it was 18 or 20 years since we won at Old Trafford but now we come here and win many times and still unsatisfied. We need to be careful against a team who has the speed in the front line to threaten in that way."
Arsenal are seeking to end a run of three successive second place finishes with their league title drought about to extend into a 22nd year. Arteta has invested again to end that run and was pleased that his side could secure three points despite being below their best.
Arsenal had to dig deep to land the three points in Manchester
Arsenal had to dig deep to land the three points in Manchester
"Well, that gives you certainly momentum and confidence - two very important things," he added. "Because you know that when you know your standards in certain aspects, which today we weren't, being fair, we can still come away and find a way to win the game.
"And the team has to find that resilience throughout the season for ten months in different contexts to be able to do that. Of course, we have to improve a lot of things and that will happen very soon."
Arsenal play in front of their home fans for the first time next weekend against Leeds before a potentially defining trip to Liverpool.
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