Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was a very happy Man after his captain scored the only goal that gave his team victory over Norwich.
Mikel Arteta team has suffered defeat in all three previous matches and without scoring a goal. This has brought criticism from the fans and the media on the manager, players and the board of directors.
This win was a much-needed one for Arsenal to help boost their confidence and also ease the mounting pressure on Mikel Arteta.
HOW IT HAPPENED IN EMIRATES STADIUM
Arsenal victory over Norwich in front of a sell-out crowd at Emirates Stadium came from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's close-range strike.
The home team came racing out of the blocks, determined to make an immediate impact, with the sun shining in north London.
The first chance came when Aubameyang raced on to a long ball up the left flank from Kieran Tierney, realized Tim Krul had paused and launched an audacious long-range shot that went wide.
Martin Odegaard found the Gabonese international with a superb pass over the top, and while he managed to nudge the ball past the Norwich keeper this time, Grant Hanley was able to scramble the ball clear.
This was looking promising, but the visitors gradually gained control of the game, closing the gaps in midfield and frustrating Arsenal attacking threats.
Before the half ended, Nicolas Pepe curled a free-kick wide and new signing Takehiro Tomiyasu volleyed over, but the game remained goalless at the intermission.
In the second half, the home team continued to take more risk throwing more players into attacking play and had a good chance to score when Bukayo Saka's dragging effort bounced into the direction of Nicolas Pepe six yards away, but his shot was blocked by Brandon Williams.
Arsenal finally broke through shortly after the hour mark when Saka supplied Pepe, whose shot was palmed on to the post by Krul. The Ivorian's follow-up was stopped, but it fell two yards to Aubameyang, who made no mistake tapping into the net.
Arsenal couldn't kill the Canaries no matter how hard they tried, with Krul denying Aubameyang his second and then Emile Smith Rowe, but Arsenal had done enough to get their first three points of the season.
MIKEL ARTETA THOUGHTS AFTER THE GAME
The Arsenal boss was indeed a happy and relieved man after his team got their first victory of the season. Read answers he gave to questions from the media after the game;
1]ON THE FIRST WIN AND HOW HE FEELS
After three defeats, playing in front of your home crowd was a highly emotional game to play. It was a must-win game, and I saw [us] come out of the gate fast and aggressively, eager to score and delight everyone. After 20 or 25 minutes, we started to [appear] wobbly, attacking too rapidly and handing the ball away. It was a free-for-all. We regained control of the game in the second half and should have scored many more goals.
2]HOW HE HAS FELT THESE PAST WEEKS
It's definitely been the best 10 to 15 days of my life since I started playing football. They weren't the easiest, but they were definitely the greatest. You must discover a reason for why you do what you do and why you choose to be a football player or coach. In the last week or so, it's all come together. It's all about the bond we've established. It's all about how much faith everyone at the club has in each other. It's about the connections and emotional reactions of the players, as well as how everyone on the squad - and I mean everyone in the club - supports and strives to develop and be positive in the circumstance. You must succeed in football matches.
3]ON THE NOISE FROM THE FANS
What I'm describing is probably what you don't see - what goes on behind the scenes. I had doubts and questions because I had to read, understand, and ponder on various points of view and critique. I'm not sure how much they'll be influenced. I believe the club has been quite upfront in communicating what we are trying to accomplish. I had a question mark, to tell you the truth. But I recently witnessed wonderful fans attempting to motivate a team by telling them, "We are willing to suffer with you and we will support you."It doesn't matter what happens after that. I'm incredibly grateful and seeing it made me tear up because I believe it's rare to see in football. People may have expected something or wanted to go down other paths in order to spread hate or anything, but that was not the case at all - so thank you very much.
4]ON THE NEW SIGNINGS PERFORMANCE
Aaron Ramsdale, Sambi and Tomiyasu all three gave their best to help the team. Aaron was terrific. Tomiyasu was focused immediately he stepped into the pitch, while Sambi came in from Belgium with a tight hamstring and still pushed to play in the game.
5]THE AIM OF THE TEAM
We want to compete with the best team in the country.
6]ON ROTATIONS OF GOALKEEPERS
Whoever gives a better performance plays.
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