Mikel Arteta got what felt like one of the biggest wins of his managerial career to date as Arsenal saw off Tottenham with ease.
With Man City winning on the Saturday, it was imperative Arsenal won and coming off the back of a draw with Wolves, the pressure was on.
Arteta needn’t have worried though. His team selection was spot on and an inspired decision to start Ebere Eze once again paid off as the England man scored twice.
TRUE or FALSE: Eberechi Eze is Arsenal’s best number ten when at his best…
With Viktor Gyokeres also netting twice, it was the perfect day for Arteta and his troops.
Nevertheless, after Declan Rice had uncharacteristically made a mistake for Tottenham’s equaliser, Arteta had to earn his money at half-time. And earn it he did.
Mikel Arteta’s words in the dressing room as Arsenal beat Tottenham
There are times in a season when a manager really does need to earn his stripes and Arteta seems to have done that here.
With the game at 1-1, Arsenal’s players might have gone under and with thoughts of Wolves in their head, crumbled.
However, Arteta had the right motivation for his team as he revealed just what he told them at the break.
“Immediately after that [result against Wolves] because I saw their reaction and what it means. When it’s a job you don’t react like this, when it’s your passion and you love the game that’s something else, it hurts you in a different way and I know what it means to them and how much they want it. And we’re certainly going to try our best,” Arteta told the media.
“We said at half-time, we carry on playing, and talk about the attitude. What Declan [Rice] has done today, He made an error, the way he played afterwards, that’s attitude, and to have personality, and courage and to stand up in a difficult moment.”
A defining moment for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal?
It might be, it might not be. But there is no question that this result was enormous today.
Had the Gunners lost, City would be just two points behind and the fears of the last few seasons would firmly creep in.
Mikel Arteta equals Jose Mourinho’s London derby record, but can he ever catch Arsene Wenger?
In essence, it was the perfect day for Arsenal and Arteta but the Spaniard has certainly earned his wages here and helped inspire his team to a big win.
In pressing times and when the heat reaches boiling point, the best managers know how to act and what to say to get their teams going again.
Arteta has shown he can do that today and it feels like a huge moment for the whole club.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
