Arsenal are once again top of the Premier League table after securing a 2-1 victory over Brighton on Saturday, just hours after Manchester City beat Nottingham Forest to briefly overtake Mikel Arteta’s side.
ARSENAL 2-1 BRIGHTON — Video highlights & recap
Below is the latest Mikel Arteta reaction, speaking after his side’s third straight win — a game which saw Declan Rice start at right back, left back Riccardo Calafiori suffer an injury in warmups and the Gunners benefit from yet another generous own goal.
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Mikel Arteta reaction — What did Arsenal boss say after beating Brighton to return top of table?
"[The score] should have been much, much bigger with the amount of chances we generated. Only to score two goals put the game into a state that probably wasn’t needed. The first shot [sic] they had was when they score the goal, but that’s the Premier League. We have to grind and suffer, but we are used to it.”
On Declan Rice playing right back: “He’s never played in that position. I spoke to him 48 hours again and said, ‘What if this happens’ and straight away, ‘Yes, I am up for it.’ They love a challenge. If we have difficulties, somebody is going to step in and the players that have been injured come back earlier than expected, so that’s great.”
On David Raya’s incredible save in the second half: “You have to make that save, which I thought it was sensational. I had a great angle of it, and that’s what we need from the players in the key moments — stepping up.”
On Gabriel Magalhaes returning from injury as Riccardo Calafiori goes down: “We had to rush [Gabriel] a little bit, but he was comfortable. We had to bring him in earlier than expected, so now we have to manage the minutes and load. Piero [Hincapie] played center back and then left back, and I think he was exceptional today again.”
Captain Martin Odegaard, on Arsenal’s win over Brighton
“It was a tough one in the end, but I think we played a good game. We were dominant from the start. They got a bit of momentum towards the end, but we got an important three points. I think we played really good — controlled the game — but we could have done better and not let them score like they did. They got the momentum when they got the goal, got belief back, but we did well to defend.”
Gabriel Jesus, on his return from injury
“I’m very happy. I’m very excited as wel,l because there are still a lot of games to play. I’m feeling great and after 11 months out I still need energy, but with the ball I can trust in myself again. I’m very happy with the way I have come back.”
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“Everyone knows how tough it is to play in the Premier League, to fight up there. Manchester City have won a lot, now we are more experienced, we have a bigger squad. It’s amazing to be [top] and chasing the Premier League [title]. That is where Arsenal belongs. I hope it happens and I hope it happens this year.”
