Arteta wants to enjoy the last 10 rounds
"Arsenal cannot control the results of other clubs, but can only control what we do every day," Arteta said on March 31 at a press conference before the 29th round of the Premier League.
"The way we behave, practice, communicate, control energy and send messages to the fans. Now, the whole team must enjoy the end of the season, with enthusiasm, energy and desire. really to continue to do what we have done, and if possible, better," the Spanish coach emphasized.
According to Arteta, Arsenal currently have good players who are always curious to improve themselves, learn and become better. Therefore, he emphasizes that it is a pleasure to work with this team and that the whole team loves what they do, live and play together. "I think you can feel it," added Arteta.
Arsenal are opening the door to winning the Premier League for the first time since the 2003-2004 unbeaten season, when leading with 69 points from 28 games, eight points ahead of defending champion Man City and playing more than one game. The "Gunners" have reached 22 wins in the Premier League this season - the same number as last season. This is also Arsenal's record number of wins over the first 28 rounds in the tournament.
Arteta believes that the "seeds" for this season's success have been planted since the summer, when he was impressed with the players' desire to improve their fifth place. Arteta also admits winning in a row has "gradually built up a level of confidence" so that Arsenal's youthful team can confidently compete for the title. At the same time, he emphasized the team spirit forged at the heart of London Colney as the foundation for Arsenal's impressive series of matches since the opening match with a 2-0 win at Crystal Palace in August 2022.
Taking a moment to reflect on this season, Arteta mused: "I really liked what I saw on the first day after the summer break, the players were all so hungry."
The 41-year-old coach sees rookies Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko - a duo who have won the Premier League many times and played top games in the Champions League - have made a big impact by creating trust and bringing leadership ability. team to new heights. Then Arteta said Arsenal try to grow and build from that foundation. "We also have the right level of competition and cooperation because they really want to help each other, but they also have to challenge each other to benefit the collective and raise the bar to the level we want." Arteta added.
One tactical adjustment that worked was the use of full-backs in central midfield, distributing the ball, helping players like Zinchenko shine. Arteta revealed that he had thought of this detail since he was at Barca's famous La Masia academy. At that time, Pep Guardiola played in the same system in the Barca first team and later applied in his coaching career.
"It all started when I was at Barca and we played in a 3-4-3 diamond formation with one of the full-backs being pushed into midfield," Arteta said. "Guardiola did it for the first time at Bayern with Phillip Lahm, and that has been developed at Man City in different ways to do it with many players."
Arsenal coach considers being curious, learning from predecessors like Guardiola is necessary to renew himself, and develop the team.
In the press conference before the match against Leeds in the 29th round of the Premier League, Arteta confirmed that center-back William Saliba is definitely absent due to a back injury, sending his best wishes to his old teacher Arsene Wenger to be honored in the Premier League Temple of Fame. . He also revealed that he could watch the great battle between Man City and Liverpool at the Etihad - the match that took place two and a half hours before the confrontation between Arsenal and Leeds.
