Mikel Arteta believes Ezri Konsa's goal in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Everton has unlocked the team's belief in set-pieces, after they had failed to score from one this season. Konsa bundled in a scrappy effort from a corner to open the scoring at the Emirates on Saturday, before Gabriel Magalhaes headed in a second from a Ben White cross in open play. The result moved Arsenal level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
Konsa's goal ends set-piece drought
Arsenal had not scored from a set-piece this season, a source of disappointment for Arteta, who said the team had generated many chances from such situations. "We hadn't scored from a set-piece, which we were disappointed with because we had generated so many chances as well," he said. "I think in midweek we should have scored at least two in Munich and we didn't and that would probably win us the game."
Arteta, whose side won the Premier League last season partly due to their effectiveness from dead balls, said Konsa's goal would help the players rediscover their belief in those situations. "I'm sure that's going to unlock something and that belief of the players," he said. "So they are really convinced. You have to see them when we train the level of attention and how much they believe in what we do and what Nico [Jover, set-piece coach] does as well. There's no question about that, but at the end he has to come through and he has to make the difference and we know that that is a massive welcome for us."
Gabriel earns praise after injury scare
There was concern for Gabriel when he appeared to be injured just minutes before scoring in the second half. Arteta praised the Brazil international for battling through the pain and having a big impact. "He is a clear example of when I talk about the mentality of the team," Arteta said. "The mentality of the team is the mentality of the players. And he is a great example of that. We were all scared not only for the way he went down but for the reaction of the players that were next to him. Immediately he says he wants to continue and he scores the goal that helps us win the game."
Martin Keown, speaking on BBC's Match of the Day, described Gabriel as a "machine" and a "legend of the football club now". "Gabriel is into his sixth season at Arsenal now and this guy is just a machine," Keown said. "You rarely see a striker get the better of him. I've seen him mature a lot and become the leader at the back. He was immense again today. He just loves defending and the fans just buzz of him. He's a legend of the football club now."
