Mikel Arteta hailed an “exceptional” victory over Chelsea and insisted reigning champions Arsenal will be even better this season after maintaining their perfect start to the Premier League campaign.
Captain Martin Odegaard scored a second-half winner as Arsenal turned on the style at the Emirates to keep their 100 per cent record intact.
Arteta sees evolution in Arsenal's style
The Gunners boss believes his side have evolved their style from last season and are determined to improve after delivering their first title in 22 years.
Arteta said: “I think it's an indication for us of how capable we are to perform at an even higher level than last season, and it depends on how we maintain and sustain that desire, that humbleness and continue every day to try to find a better version of myself and the team.”
He added: “We still have a lot to grow and a lot to offer, and this is the ambition of the team. We know every week it's going to be like this, but that's what we prepare for.”
Odegaard back to his best
Odegaard has now scored three goals this season, having managed just one last term, and looks back to his best to earn rich praise from his manager.
Arteta said: “First of all, Martin is fit, he feels confident, I think one of the highest that I've seen him, and he has a point to prove from last season as well, and after missing so much football.”
He continued: “For me, he gets to that point because he's enjoying his football, and when you are that, you have to enjoy what you do, you have to play with real intent, and that's what I love to see him, he was running forward, he took shots, he created so many situations for his teammates, so it was great.”
Chelsea's pain after defeat
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso admitted his side were disappointed and said the defeat must hurt in a positive way.
Alonso said: “We are disappointed. It needs to hurt, but it needs to hurt in a positive way, because it's just game three, still many games to play and we know it was going to be a very intense game today.”
He added: “My priority is to win games and for that, normally it's easier when you don't concede many games. So for sure, this is something that we need to address. We want to do better, we want to be tighter, to be more clinical, more balanced. But this takes time as well.”
