Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal took ‘another step’ in their development after the Gunners secured a 1-0 win at Chelsea to move back to the top of the Premier League.
Gabriel scored the decisive goal as Arsenal moved back to the top of the division, with the centre-back turned home Bukayo Saka’s corner from close range to earn the Gunners three points at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester City’s late win over Fulham on Saturday had upped the pressure on Arteta’s side, but the north Londoners underlined their title credentials with a hard-fought win.
On just four occasions has a team bettered Arsenal’s start to the current campaign, with each of those four sides having gone on to win the Premier League title.
Arsenal had the better chances with Gabriel Jesus guilty of squandering opportunities in either half, but Gabriel’s goal ensured the Gunners reclaimed their two-point cushion at the top of the division.
Arteta was delighted with his side’s performance and believes his improving team are now comfortable when taking on the Premier League’s top sides.
“Obviously we wanted to get back to the top but the competition is so difficult,” the Spaniard told BT Sport.
“The job, the challenge for us was to come here against a top team in the league and the way we did it – we deserved to win the game.
“For such a young team, the maturity, the composure they showed, the resilience and courage to play how we wanted to play was phenomenal to do it against these kind of players.
“Winning in this stadium is an extra thing, another step for this team to keep believing they can do it under pressure and against big opponents.
“The boys are willing and physically capable of doing it, the understanding of times and spaces is getting better every day, they feel comfortable playing these type of games.”
