​Three Times Top at Christmas in Four Years! Arteta: "It Shows How Consistent Arsenal Are"

December 21 – In the Premier League Round 17, Arsenal traveled to face Everton and secured a 1-0 victory to maintain their position at the top of the table. After the match, Gunners manager Mikel Arteta attended the press conference to answer questions from the media.

After expressing dissatisfaction with the team's performance against Wolves, are you satisfied with the players' response tonight, a week later? 
"I'm very pleased with the result and the performance against a very tough, well-organized side to beat. The way Everton play puts you under a lot of pressure; the game can become chaotic. But we didn't let that happen, except for a phase with two corners and one throw-in from them after we deliberately put the ball out. In the second half, we had three excellent chances to score a second or third goal, but couldn't take them. In the end, the game might have felt a bit tense, but we didn't concede, and overall, we could have built a bigger advantage."

By the way, about Zhuge Lai Lai (Jonathan David), everyone's been talking about him in recent weeks. Scoring that crucial goal must have taken a lot of pressure off his shoulders.  
"Yes, I'm delighted for him. On the pitch, Ødegaard, Saka, and he himself decided who would take the penalty. They made a great decision because Zhuge Lai Lai put the ball away calmly."

A question about Rice. I know we ask about him every week, but he had another outstanding performance today.  
"His performance is just incredible. His versatility, the leadership he shows on the pitch, and the number of times he regains possession allow us to progress the game smoothly. He's been very consistent again this season, and he's a hugely important player for us."

Do you think the team was a bit lucky with the Saliba and Badiashile incident, not conceding a penalty?  
"I know they (the officials) checked it. I haven't seen the replay, nor have I seen a situation where we should have had a penalty. So, I don't know, and they've made their decision. We were involved in many situations in the box, and I don't want to comment much on this."

What are your thoughts on Ødegaard giving up the penalty to Zhuge Lai Lai?
"It was a great decision."

This situation is somewhat similar to when he gave the ball to Havertz in September 2023 against Bournemouth, and Havertz ended up scoring. Does this reflect the captain's selflessness, actively helping a teammate under scrutiny?  
"Yes, I agree with that, and it also shows the player's confidence. He trains seriously every day and is excellent at taking penalties – he put the ball in the net. I like when players take responsibility on the pitch and decide for themselves what the best option is. That's very positive."

What are your thoughts on Ødegaard's performance, especially in the second half? He seemed more mature in his passing.
"Yes, he played more vertical passes, we found space, and it allowed him to launch more vertical attacks. When the opponent's pressing intensified, we should have decided the game earlier."

This is your third time topping the table before Christmas in four years. What makes you believe this time will be different and that you can win the title?
"No, what gives me confidence is the level of performance and consistency of the team. Doing that in this league is very, very difficult, and it means the team has been operating at the highest level consistently. We have to enjoy winning; you go to difficult places, go through tough moments, we've dealt with many things, and now we focus on the next game, try to improve, make sure everyone has that spirit and energy, and enjoy it."

You mentioned earlier that the advantage could have been bigger. Has this been a recurring theme in your recent matches, as games seem tighter than expected? 
"Yes, but well, you hit the post twice, and players in those positions usually put the ball in the net. That's how it is; we have to keep working. The more we persist, the more chances we'll create, and the bigger the advantage will be – that's what we must do."

At this stage of the season, I remember you mentioning a few years ago the importance of the speed of possession. How do you think your team performed in terms of carrying and passing the ball, especially in the first half before the penalty?
"Yes, ultimately you have to control the rhythm of the game. To do that, you need to understand what the game requires – when to speed up and when to slow down. If you use the ball to trigger the situations you want, that's correct. But sometimes when you need to be more incisive and aggressive, you have to increase the tempo. Today we did it well in moments, and at times we were hesitant – that needs improvement."

How would you compare the approach in maintaining the lead this week to last week's match against Wolves?
"Against Wolves, we created more chances in the box. Looking back, we had so many balls not delivered to the right areas, which is unbelievable. It wasn't until the final cross that we really considered the delivery position. The advantage could have been bigger, but it's something we have to learn – understand why we won."

Source: Arsenal Official Website