Mikel Arteta has called for consistency from his Arsenal side after the Gunners continued their unbeaten start with a 4-0 win at Bournemouth.
Arsenal cruised to a comfortable win on the south coast, with Bukayo Saka opening the scoring for the north Londoners.
Martin Odegaard scored from the penalty spot just before half-time to double the advantage, before a second spot-kick was converted by Kai Havertz for his first Arsenal goal. Ben White rounded off the scoring and Arteta was delighted with his side’s performance.
“Very happy. The way we approached the game, I think since yesterday the team was ready to play. We knew we had a big challenge against a team who doesn’t have what they deserve with the games they’ve played I think,” Arteta told his post-match press conference.
“They don’t give you any time, it’s a small pitch and it’s difficult to get out of that.. We read the game very well and earned the right to win it.”
The result means Arsenal move within one point of leaders Manchester City, who lost 1-0 at Wolves. Arsenal face City next weekend and Arteta believes there will be plenty of twists and turns as the Premier League title race progresses.
“This is going to happen. No one is going to win every single game in this league playing the way we have to every three days. We have to be consistent in what we do, play and try to do the right thing to win the game. Some days it is not going to be possible and it is the seventh game of the season. It’s still a long marathon.
“I am grateful we have won the game and that is the only thing that we can control. Now, I am just thinking on that bus how we are going to prepare for Lens. It is going to be a really tough match away from home on Tuesday to try to win it, and City will be the next step.
“It is taking a lot of good things and move them for Tuesday, and again try to make the decision with the line-up and the squad to maintain that we are showing.”
