X ACTING REVENGE
Arsenal victory born out of the top four pain inflicted on them by Spurs last season as Xhaka leads from the front
IT WAS a victory born out of last season’s frustrations.
Arsenal were so close to securing a top-four finish until their end-of-campaign collapse, which began with defeat at Tottenham in May.
Aaron Ramsdale admitted “fires have been burning” in the squad ever since and now they find themselves not just pushing for a Champions League place, but making a genuine title challenge.
Ramsdale believes there is a new “winning mentality” within the group which comes not just from the players signed in the summer but also a fresh determination to put right what happened last term, when Spurs pipped them to fourth.
Gabriel Jesus looks set to become one of the signings of the season after his £45million arrival from Manchester City. Oleksandr Zinchenko has been a revelation.
William Saliba oozes class and composure even if his central defensive partner Gabriel has a tendency to make rash decisions.
At the heart of it all is a strong core epitomised by Granit Xhaka, a player who looked finished at the Gunners three years ago when he fell out with the Emirates fans who now sing his name.
The reinvention of Xhaka is perhaps Mikel Arteta’s greatest piece of man-management to date. The midfielder is a real leader who takes responsibility. He was sensational against Spurs.
At half-time, Xhaka held up his hands in the dressing room to a mistake which led to Gabriel bringing down Richarlison for a penalty, converted by Harry Kane.
Last season, Arsenal might have lost their heads. This time, they held their nerve and won the game.
Keeper Ramsdale said: “The experiences at the end last season are adding to our team spirit and mentality. It’s not just the lads who have come in who have brought this winning mentality.
“We all have this fire burning inside because of what happened at the end of last season. The day I returned to pre-season, two weeks late through internationals, I knew the standard of training had increased.
“People demanding more from each other, training is a lot more competitive, there is definitely a mood swing when you lose, there were always certain people who were upset when losing in training but now it’s a collective. The fans, any time something has happened this season – Fulham, Leicester, when we concede a goal – it is like we have scored a goal with the noise the fans are making, it gives us a boost.
“It’s a never-say-die attitude, the way I would word it is a ‘f*** it mentality.’ Who cares we have conceded? We have 10 minutes, 70 minutes, we will play our way. We never run out of time. That’s the big thing for us and the manager, we don’t stop working.”
Arsenal have played some super stuff to go top of the table. But this was unquestionably their best performance to date. They were on the front foot from the start and Thomas Partey’s opener was no more than they deserved.
Even after Kane levelled from the penalty spot – his 14th goal in 18 North London derbies – Arsenal came back brilliantly. Hugo Lloris’ rare mistake let in Jesus to restore Arsenal’s lead.
But the game was over after Emerson Royal was sent off for a poor challenge on Gabriel Martinelli.
It looked a harsh red card but Martinelli had been tearing him apart all game.
Referee Anthony Taylor had no doubt, Spurs were down to 10 men and it was damage limitation from then on.
No one deserved a goal more than Xhaka. His finish after fine work by Martinelli capped his man-of-the-match display.