‘You have to earn the right to win’: Arteta hails Arsenal’s mentality

Mikel Arteta said that Arsenal’s 3-0 win at Brighton pointed the way to further away-day successes in the Premier League title run-in, where his team’s hopes stand to be decided.

Arsenal, who jumped back to the top of the table above Liverpool and Manchester City after a victory inspired by their captain, Martin Ødegaard, and Kai Havertz, must play at Wolves, Tottenham and Manchester United before the end of the season.

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“Yes, it does,” Arteta said, when asked whether the dominant victory would increase their belief before the final away games. “Brighton is a really, really tough place to come and win but also in the manner and the formula we have done it. Hopefully we can carry on doing what we are doing.

“We have to play Aston Villa at home and that is going to be a very tough match as they are a really good side. We know that we are going to have to play as we have won 10 and drawn one of the last 11 [league games] and are not [clear at the] top of the league. It is like, ‘Come on!’ But this is the level.

“It is about performances. You have to earn the right to win in this league and the teams ask you a lot of questions. There are a lot of things you have to control to win a game in the Premier League away from home. The team seems to be controlling those moments much better and are comfortable in different stages of games when the teams are demanding other stuff. That is a big step as a team.”

Bukayo Saka opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Havertz scored the second and set up the substitute Leandro Trossard for the third. Havertz, who has established himself as Arteta’s first choice No 9, has 10 goals and five assists in all competitions this season.

“A lot of times the players decide where they have to play,” Arteta said. “You can have certain ideas but then you see certain relationships and it flows. And when it flows you have to let it go. That’s what is happening with Kai at the moment. He feels really comfortable there [in the No 9 role].

“His overall performances have been really good and now his numbers for goal contributions are really high. He needs to maintain that. I think his understanding with the attacking players was superb. They had real purpose and connection and a lot of clarity on where to attack. We created many chances.”