Arsenal Building Up Momentum - Said By Arteta

Mikel Arteta © Getty Images

Arsenal are regaining momentum after a difficult patch, but manager Mikel Arteta emphasized the importance of maintaining their resurgence following a convincing 5-2 victory against West Ham United on Saturday. This win propelled Arsenal back to second place in the Premier League and signaled their return to form after a streak of four winless league games prior to the international break.

In a thrilling first half at the London Stadium, goals from Gabriel, Leandro Trossard, captain Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, and Bukayo Saka contributed to the team's impressive performance, bringing their points tally to 25, six points behind Liverpool, who will host struggling champions Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.

"Yes, we've got some momentum. I think we have regained our flow and determination; winning consecutive matches against three opponents is fantastic," Arteta said after the match. He noted that his team had previously beaten Nottingham Forest 3-0 and followed that up with a 5-1 win against Sporting in the Champions League. 

“We’re going to enjoy tonight and watch a great game of football tomorrow. We are in a good moment right now. But in football, you must stay alert and prepare as best as possible,” added the Spaniard, whose side will host Manchester United in the Premier League on Wednesday.

The return of captain Odegaard from a long injury lay-off has been a significant boost for Arsenal. Saka also appeared revitalized after missing the last England camp due to a minor injury. 

Incredible

In addition to scoring a penalty, Saka provided two assists on Saturday, bringing his season tally to 10 in 13 games, which is four more than the next highest total, held by Mohamed Salah. 

“Incredible. It is the hardest thing to do in football, so a player who can deliver results in those moments has tremendous value,” Arteta remarked about Saka. The young forward was particularly unplayable in the first half, as Arsenal dominated their London rivals. 

“Today was a top performance from us, and we scored many goals. We are playing good football right now, and we want to continue like this,” Arteta expressed. “We are back to our best form; we look fluid and dynamic, and we are all enjoying it. 

“It has been a fantastic week for us. We have built a lot of momentum, and we want to keep it going in the upcoming games.”