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Kieran Tierney credits Mikel Arteta for Arsenal’s newfound confidence

Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney and coach Mikel Arteta: Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney and coach Mikel Arteta: Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney has credited head coach Mikel Arteta for the team’s newfound confidence in recent matches.

Arsenal drew 1-1 at home to Leicester on Tuesday evening after going down to 10 men, a result that saw Arteta’s side extend their unbeaten run to five games.

The Gunners took the lead through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the first half, but substitute Eddie Nketiah received a straight red in the second period to put the hosts under pressure.

Jamie Vardy netted an equaliser in the 85th minute to ensure the points were shared at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal would have gone level on points with sixth-placed Wolves with a win, but were forced to hang on for a draw in the final moments.

When asked where his team’s spirit and resilience came from, Tierney said: “The boss, he has been brilliant.

“We had a period to work closely and obviously coming back we had a few weeks to work without games.

“The first few results we got weren’t ideal, but we are building something here.

“It won’t happen overnight, but we’re progressing well.”

Following a 3-0 defeat by Manchester City in their first game back after the Premier League’s resumption in June, Arsenal were beaten 2-1 by Brighton. Thereafter they recorded four straight victories over Southampton, Sheffield United, Norwich and Wolves, before the draw against Leicester.

This weekend, they take on north London rivals Tottenham, who are two points and one spot behind the seventh-placed Gunners in the table.

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