[ad_1]
There was a moment, long before the first ball was kicked, when Mikel Arteta surveyed the scene around him and knew there would be a ray of light.
The Community Shield had the potential to be problematic for Arsenal. His opponent and reigning champion Liverpool had been in training camp in Europe for two weeks and their preparations for the new campaign were significantly more advanced than the FA Cup champions.
With contract issues and transfer dilemmas whistling in the background, it would have come as no surprise for Arsenal to rewrite and show the resilience of a house of cards in a gale. Arteta, however, took a look at his group before the start and felt it would be different.
Mikel Arteta celebrates with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after another impressive performance
“On Thursday we started to have players back in training,” Arteta said. I didn’t hear a single excuse. “Oh they (Liverpool) had two weeks in Austria, better preparation.”
‘There was not any of that. When I was in the dressing room, I had the feeling that they believed we could win. They didn’t feel any fear. ”
In recent seasons, when Arsenal slid down the rankings and gave up their spot as a Champions League regular, fear has always faded below the surface and they have been ready to put the team in absolute dominance.
Arsenal always had it inside of them to paralyze in a big game or throw something significant: watching these teams line up at Wembley, the mind went back to last fall when they led 3-1 and 4-2 at Anfield in a Carabao Cup tied but ended up drawing 5-5 and then losing on penalties. That was the Arsenal that Arteta inherited and that was what had to change.
Aubameyang scored the first goal and the decisive penalty in Arsenal’s win over Liverpool
There were significant signs after the lockdown, especially in the thrilling victories against Manchester City and Chelsea en route to winning the FA Cup, of a change in mindset. Positive impressions continued.
There was vertigo among the players as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang lifted the trophy after successfully converting the decisive penalty on the penalty shootout as winning builds confidence and creates a positive atmosphere. Perhaps the most important aspect to take of all, however, was Arteta’s assessment.
Arsenal fought back firmly after Aubameyang scored a marvelous goal in the 12th minute, kicking, blocking and scrapping to frustrate Liverpool.
They wanted to do their dirty work, not retreat at the first sign of trouble and it was significant that it was they who had the last chances in added time, not Liverpool, which finally found their way in the 73rd minute thanks to substitute Takumi. Minamino.
“They really wanted to give it a try and they believed they could win another trophy,” said Arteta, who is confident that Aubameyang will finally end speculation about his future this week and sign a new contract. “They showed their courage and passion from the first minute. We had some periods where we showed that we are moving in the right direction. Defensively we are solid, we are difficult to beat.
‘Really, if we have the mentality that we have 11 players doing it, then no matter who your name is, we have a very good chance.
“Young players impress me more every day. They really want to play for this club. They know the names they are fighting and they don’t care.
“They want to be better than their teammates and they really want opportunities. When they play like this, I’m very proud of them. ‘
You may be a young manager in your first job, but don’t mistake Arteta for someone who will say easy things to get an easy starter.
Aubameyang raises the Community Shield as he and his teammates celebrate their success
During his time as a player at Everton, when he spoke it was always because he wanted to make a point clear and he did not flinch if his views disturbed others.
Arteta is also realistic and while he was excited for Arsenal to win on penalties, jumping into the arms of his assistant Steve Round, he was quick to point out that their progression depends on being more than a team that can defend. .
“We know that if we want to fight for trophies, the amount of goals that we have in recent seasons cannot be conceded,” Arteta said. But, obviously, with the ball in the attack phase we must do much better.
‘We had some periods where we showed that we are developing in the right direction. But it’s one thing to do it in a short time. Another is then to be able to sustain it for 10 months. We know this league, how competitive and challenging it is. My biggest fight is convincing these players that we can fight these clubs in the long run and that they are better than they showed last year.
‘I have to make the right decision with everyone on board. We know what we are trying to achieve. Hopefully we can do it. That’s my job.’
