Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta oversaw another one-goal game, this one a 1-0 win over Newcastle United to boost his Gunners back atop the Premier League.
He also saw Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze require substitutions after injury and will know that Newcastle butchered two key chances to score in the Week 34 scrap.
MORE — Arsenal v Newcastle recap, video highlights
Eze scored a wonderful goal that stood as the decisive tally, and Arteta will be happy to be back in the win column and three points above Man City.
City again have a match-in-hand.
Arteta celebrated the win with a giant fist pump and yell of “Vamos.”
Mikel Arteta reaction — What did Arsenal manager say after slim win over Newcastle?
How’s the blood pressure? “Much better now. We know what is at stake. We know the margins are very small. We started the game really well, scored a beautiful goal and the players showed a lot of courage.”
Being upset with Nick Pope not being sent off for sliding challenge as sweeper-keeper: “it’s a red card. The ball is closer to the striker. I was surprised because a week ago Kai Havertz goes through, Khusanov makes a foul. Hopefully it’s going to change.”
“We can miss that but how the team reacts right after that. It’s incredible when you don’t have one thing go your way, you need to have something else to win the game.”
How is the team’s energy now? “Huge reset. It was so clear and I sensed the energy in the dressing room in Manchester right after the game. Something clicked. Game one. We’ve done what we have to do and no we
On Eze and Havertz injuries: “Both had to come off. I think they are small niggles. We don’t know the extent of that. Probably tomorrow we will know more.”
Martin Odegaard reaction to scrap with Newcastle, title race
Thoughts on the game? “It was tough, very intense, very physical especiaslly for me playing 90 again was tough. We did everything good but we got a win and that was the most important thing.”
Stadium didn’t like the short corners but they paid off: “The stadium was a bit annoyed that we took it short but it paid off in the end and great finish from [Eberechi Eze].”
Workload going to stay heavy: “The schedule is crazy but it is what it is. We’re used to it and we have to keep going. It’s the end of the season so leave everything we have out there. We just to have to keep going to the next game, win again, and keep going.”
First on the table at the moment: “That’s where we want to be but it’s going to go all the way to the end. We’re ready for it and we’re going to fight every single day.”
Declan Rice reaction to win, title pressure
Thoughts on the game: “One down and then we have four to go. Today there was a real focus on winning and getting it over the line is really good. Energy’s been really good and still a lot to play for.”
You seemed to have control of the game: “Always against Newcastle it’s going to be a really tough game. They have unbelievable players who can hurt you any time. We probably could’ve done better in front of goal.”
How do you deal with the noise as fans are understandably nervous: “Block it out. We’ve got to this point for a reason. We know how to deal with it. We’re professionals. There’s always going to be noise from home fans, away fans.”
