Mikel Arteta said Arsenal are finding joy in the pressure of the Premier League title race after beating Bournemouth 3-0 at the Emirates.
Goals from Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice extended Arsenal’s lead at the top of the division to four points, ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Wolves later in the day.
Arsenal dominated the opening period and Saka scored the first after the award of a contentious penalty in first-half stoppage time before Trossard fired a second after the break to ease the tension inside the Emirates.
Rice, who produced an outstanding performance in midfield and set up the second, fired in his seventh goal of the Premier League campaign late on to seal the win.
The Gunners have found form in recent weeks and Arteta has been delighted with how his side have handled the pressure of the title race.
“With what is at stake and the stage of the season we are in, to perform the way we have done today, especially in the first half, I thought it was one of the best that we played all season,” Arteta said in his post-match press conference.
“It was really positive, a lot of energy, players making decisions to impact the game and make things happen – I loved it. We were very unlucky not to score four or five, and then when you don’t do that, you have to navigate for certain difficult moments, and we did.
“Obviously we have to be more ruthless in front of goal, with a lot of chances and situations we generated. The scoreline should have been very, very different. Sometimes when you don’t finish the game, it can get a bit different and the momentum of the game can shift, and you have to be prepared for that and I think the team did really well to handle it.
“I think the moment is driven by energy, enthusiasm and finding joy in this journey, and being in the title race at this stage of the season. We have to continue to do the same.”
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