Soccer: Arsenal are keeping alive the dream, says Mikel Arteta after Fulham win
“This tells us and our dressing room that we are keeping the dream alive,” Arteta told reporters. he said.
“What these guys have done, not just now but throughout the season, to win so many games under the conditions we had to do at times without a lot of players, is remarkable.”
Arsenal rediscovered their attacking verve as they outplayed Fulham with a masterclass in the first half; Bukayo Saka, who is fit again in the songs, and Viktor Gyokeres, who signed for Arsenal in the summer, arguably performed at his best for Arsenal.
Their season appeared to be unraveling; They lost to title rivals Manchester City in the League Cup final in March and then lost to second-tier Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-final, the latest defeat in their pursuit of the quadruple.
Arsenal, who suffered consecutive defeats in the league and finished second to Manchester City, lost the advantage to their rivals and were eliminated from the top of the Premier League for the first time since October, when City defeated Burnley last week.
Having lost just three of 49 games in all competitions, Arsenal’s four defeats in eight games have raised questions about Arsenal’s mentality and their ability to eventually qualify for the 2020 FA Cup, their only major trophy under Arteta. However, Arsenal moved to the top of the league with six points by beating Fulham 3-0, regardless of their recent poor performances and efforts in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.
Arteta said Arsenal quickly got out of the blocks on Saturday and took an early lead that appeared never to relinquish, creating a positive atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium which in turn encouraged the players.
“When you feel that connection with them (the fans), we get much, much better,” he said. “And I know it has to come from us.
“It definitely came from us today but we have to do it somehow, even if the team probably doesn’t give the right reasons.”
Arsenal had faded away at half-time after what Arteta described as one of their best first-half performances of the season; That gave him the luxury of resting key players ahead of Atletico’s visit on Tuesday, bringing Saka off at half-time and withdrawing Gyokeres and Declan Rice around the hour mark.
Arteta said his team must capitalize on the positivity of Saturday’s performance and carry that into Tuesday’s match, with his side looking to have four – and possibly five – great games.
“Use that momentum, energy, belief heading into Tuesday,” he said. “We will definitely need this.
“Looking at the atmosphere in the locker room, I think it’s in the right direction.”
