Arsene Wenger refrained from exaggerating after Monday’s 2-1 win against title rivals Manchester City, but was massively impressed with the “life, togetherness, and solidarity” they showed to beat Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
Mesut Ozil continued his scintillating form to grab assists number 14 and 15 for Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud to seal a deserved win.
Afterwards, Wenger said the win strengthens their belief – nothing more.
I’m not sure what sort of message that sends but for us it was a vital game. It is a game you come out very happy as we have shown all types of ingredients you need in these big games.
Good organisation, strong solidarity, high work rate, moments of brilliance and moments where we needed to hang on because that is important as well.
It is too early to say to we can win the league but it strengths our belief.
As expected, City had moments in the game where they tested the Gunners resolve with possession and attempts on goal. Their 20 shots at Petr Cech were the most any side has had in a game at the Emirates since Manchester United did in November 2008.
When they came back to 2-1 we were a bit under pressure but I believe it was very intense for both teams. You had times where you had players on the ground at both sides of the pitch because of that total commitment.
Pellegrini felt hard done by considering the greater shots, pass accuracy and possession his team mustered, but Wenger knows too well from previous experience when his team has dominated, the win is all that counts.
It is that desire and will to win which impressed the Arsenal manager.
You come out and realise you have earned your right to win these games and for us it is important.
We have to be ready to fight like that in every single game and you do that quite [often]. It is quite interesting on my side there is real life in the team, real togetherness and real solidarity, so let’s take care of that.
Man of the Match Ozil is now just five assists away from equalling Thierry Henry’s all-time Premier League best of 20 for a season.
His manager delivered the standard eulogies for the German international who is looking a cut above the rest in the league and Europe for the position he plays.
Football, you need at the end of the day someone who gives the guy the ball who scores the goal. In our team most of the time Ozil is this player.
He is much more mature and is much more keen to take on responsibility. I personally think he is built on his physical attributes and commitment. You see his desire to win, he plays to win the games and maybe this kind of talent is exceptional.
He realises he can help us in every single game.
And that was all while spending most of the week in bed with illness, training just the day before, confirmed Wenger.
