Mikel Arteta has praised his Arsenal team for their resilience in coming back from a two-goal deficit to secure a 3-3 draw against Southampton.
The Arsenal manager expressed his love for his team, stating that he loves them even more now.
Despite going behind with goals from Carlos Alcaraz and Theo Walcott, Gabriel Martinelli scored to give Arsenal hope before Duje Caleta-Car added a third for Southampton. However, Martin Odegaard’s impressive goal in the 88th minute and Bukayo Saka’s added-time goal brought Arsenal level and denied Southampton the win.
Although Arsenal has dropped points in their last three matches, Arteta was satisfied with their performance against Southampton.
“We made it very difficult again for ourselves – mistakes are part of football, but the way we reacted, I love my players more than ever,” he told Sky Sports.
“It is incredible. We were on the way back, we conceded again with a sloppy goal but in the end we should have won the game.
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“We created enough chances and opportunities, but it didn’t happen and we are disappointed. You can’t concede three goals in this league. If you concede three like we did in a sloppy way it is very difficult to win matches.
“This young team reacts in a way that is incredible. When it is against the odds but the chances they created and the spirit they had it was a joy to watch.
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“The message is clear that I love them. We are down and they are more willing than anybody to win it. You can see that spirit and fight in the dressing room.”
Arsenal are five points clear of second-place Manchester City, but they have played two games more than their in-form title rivals and travel to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
“It hasn’t changed,” Arteta said. “Obviously the task is even bigger but now we have to do the simple things better and cut out mistakes and then you will win games.
“The [Man City game] is not a final because there are still six games to go. The concern is turning around these moments especially if the players in some moments are in doubt.
“In football, you go through moments when you make errors and are not in a good moment but you have to come away from that.
“I have not seen anybody hiding – the opposite. They are willing to do more and more.
“Today is a good example of the level they can show, how capable they are to play against a different type of opponent. The spirit is incredible and we have to try and do it again.“