MY ACCOUNT
Mikel Arteta hailed Arsenal’s focus as the Premier League leaders restored their eight-point advantage with victory over Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners’ lead at the summit was reduced to five points following Manchester City’s 4-1 win over Liverpool earlier on Saturday, but Arteta’s side matched that result against Leeds to pull clear once more.
Gabriel Jesus scored twice while Ben White and Granit Xhaka were also target for the hosts, who were without Bukayo Saka from the start for the first time in the Premier League this season.
Arteta, who revealed the England forward was benched having suffered with illness on Friday, was delighted with the way his players remained concentrated on the task in hand.
“We had a few things going on with some individuals. It has been a concerning few days because we could not decide until this morning if some players would be available and the line-up,” he told BBC.
“After an international break, you do not know if they are in the frame of mind to come back and do the things necessary to win this league. I am really happy with the performance.
“We were aware [of Man City’s result] as it is a huge game, and we wanted to watch parts of it. But when we got here, it was just to focus on us and what we can do as a team. They are used to it. We can only control what we can do.”
The Gunners boss also praised Jesus, who netted a brace on his first start since returning from injury.
“I am so happy for him after all the work from him and the staff throughout the last five months,” Arteta said. “Today, he got rewarded for that. He brings that quality and unpredictability to the squad.”
“Everyone is playing so well, it is easy to come back,” Jesus added. “The most important thing is that everyone that has come in has played good.
“I want to score every game, but sometimes it can’t happen. I am more happy with the three points than the goals.
“We said before the game not to look at goal difference and focus on the points. But sometimes, you have to try and score more and more, as it might matter at the end of the season.”
White also paid tribute to Arsenal for not getting distracted by the Man City scoreline from earlier in the day.
“There’s a lot of noise going on outside,” the defender told BBC Radio 5 Live. “I don’t really know what’s right or wrong, I have never been in this position [competing in a title race] before. So, we are just keeping quiet, heads down and working hard.”
