Arteta allows Arsenal players to dream of winning the title
"I allow the players to do what they want, even dream of winning the title," Arteta said after the game, when asked about his ambition to topple Man City this season. "But I also told them to focus on themselves. We can't control what the opponent will do, improve or finish in position and score. We can only focus on improving. improve their own performance and form. It is not a coincidence that Arsenal are in the position they are now."
At the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal dominated, but let West Ham open the scoring at half-time from Said Benrahma's penalty. But three goals in the first 16 minutes of the second half, respectively, by Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Ed Nketiah helped the "Gunners" win 3-1. This result helps Arsenal to hold the top of the table with 40 points, ahead of Newcastle - the team that won Leicester 3-0 in the early game to rise to second - seven points and Man City eight points.
Arteta is proud of how Arsenal overcame difficulties in terms of personnel situation, when Gabriel Jesus, Tomiyasu Takehiro, Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson could not play, as well as the comeback against strong opponents. "I think the whole team showed great composure. The players showed quality, knew what they had to do and executed everything perfectly," the Spanish coach analyzed.
On Boxing Day, in addition to giving the fans three points, the Arsenal leadership also invited Arsene Wenger to the audience. The legendary former French coach returned to the Emirates Stadium for the first time since leaving Arsenal in 2018. He stood up clapping and smiling contentedly as Martinelli led Arsenal ahead of the second half.
The 73-year-old former coach sat in the stands near owner Stan Kroenke and son Josh. Throughout the match, Arsenal fans repeatedly chanted Wenger's name to appreciate his dedication. He is the most successful manager in the club's history, winning three Premier League titles, including an undefeated 2003-04 season, seven FA Cups and reaching the 2006 Champions League final.
Arteta said the players did not know Wenger would be in attendance, because they wanted to keep it a secret and give the old teacher more space. The Spaniard also thanked Wenger for what he did for Arsenal, and hopes he enjoys a win on his return day. "I was involved in inviting Wenger, but the important thing is the process, the time to take that step. Hopefully Wenger can spend more time with us, because of the influence he has on our career. personally, the way I see the game, and also with Arsenal," added Arteta.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal sent an offer of 42 million USD, with a fee of 21 million USD for Shakhtar's Mykhaylo Mudryk on December 26. However, the Ukrainian club want a larger sum of money, having rejected a similar offer from Everton in the summer of 2022. Mudryk's representative will meet directly with Shakhtar's management to discuss the next steps of the agreement as well as transfer fee.
Mudryk is said to want to join Arsenal and will have no problem closing personal terms. The 21-year-old Ukrainian star also posted on his personal Instagram page a picture of himself watching Arsenal's match against West Ham live.
When asked about the news, Arteta replied: "The good thing about the Premier League is that you don't have a lot of matches in other countries around Christmas. So a lot of people will watch Arsenal's game, and hopefully. We gave them a spectacular performance."
