Mikel Arteta Commends Arsenal's Unbelievable Mentality After Late Victory Against Leicester City

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Mikel Arteta praised Arsenal's performance as "unbelievable" after they secured a late win against Leicester City at the Emirates. The Gunners dominated the first half, scoring through Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. However, Leicester responded after halftime, with James Justin reducing the deficit and then scoring a volley to equalise. Arsenal eventually clinched victory in stoppage time with Wilfried Ndidi's own goal and Kai Havertz's fortunate strike.

Despite losing their early lead, Arteta commended his players as they now focus on the upcoming Champions League match on Tuesday. "I'm very happy with the performance," he stated. "I think we were unbelievable today. We deserved to win with many more goals." He acknowledged that conceding early in the second half made things challenging but praised his team's resilience in creating numerous chances.

Arteta emphasised the character shown by his team, saying, "We suffered more than we should have, but this is football. [I am] really happy with the team." Arsenal had to work hard for their victory, registering 36 shots—their joint-most in a Premier League game since 2003-04. This determination reflects the winning mentality Arteta has instilled since taking charge.

The match saw Ndidi's own goal become the 16th 90th-minute winning own-goal in Premier League history, with Arsenal benefiting from five of these—more than any other team. Arteta highlighted this mentality as a key takeaway from the match: "We felt it should have been many more, and it wasn't, and suddenly it is 2-2."

Arteta noted how his team remained composed under pressure against a strong opponent. "We had a lot of clarity, understanding what we had to do," he said. The Gunners maintained focus despite difficult circumstances and earned their right to win by sticking to their game plan.

This victory not only showcased Arsenal's attacking prowess but also highlighted their ability to handle adversity effectively. As they prepare for their next challenge in Europe, Arteta's side will aim to build on this momentum and continue demonstrating their growth under his leadership.