Something remarkable unfolded in the home dressing room at the Emirates Stadium following Arsenal's emphatic 4-1 victory over arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur. A video released by the club offered a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the celebrations, revealing a level of squad unity that manager Mikel Arteta has been meticulously building.
The Unseen Celebration
The footage showed the players returning down the tunnel, with the energy still electric after the final whistle. The focus of the jubilation was hat-trick hero Eberechi Eze, whose stellar performance secured the bragging rights. But the scenes were about far more than just the goal scorers.
While Bukayo Saka danced to the music, the dressing room was already filled with key players who had been sidelined by injury. Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Odegaard were waiting to embrace their teammates, demonstrating that the collective spirit extends beyond the starting eleven. Even central defender Gabriel, who missed the match, was fully involved in the festivities, celebrating on the pitch while wearing an Arsenal scarf.
A Squad Built on Character
This is not a coincidence but a direct result of Arsenal's transfer strategy. Arteta and the club's hierarchy have deliberately targeted players with strong characters who buy into the concept of dressing room unity. This ethos was on full display, with popular squad members like Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, both injured, keen to be part of the shared success.
Arteta himself frequently speaks about the importance of the squad and togetherness, and these post-match scenes were a powerful validation of his philosophy. In the often ego-driven world of professional football, it is not always a given that injured or non-playing players will wholeheartedly join celebrations. At Arsenal, it is the norm.
The mentality of players like the driven Gyokeres and the influential Odegaard sets the standard. Odegaard, in particular, leads by example, with Arteta valuing his ability to set the team's tempo and press—a modern form of lion-hearted leadership.
Strength in Depth Shines Through
The derby also showcased the success of Arsenal's squad building. With Gabriel absent, Piero Hincapie stepped into the defence and delivered a brilliant and faultless performance. The Ecuadorian, who enjoyed success at Bayer Leverkusen, arrived at the club knowing he would have to bide his time, but he grasped his opportunity without putting a foot wrong.
Elsewhere, Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard were outstanding, while Mikel Merino adapted after a difficult start, dropping deeper to influence the game positively. This strength in depth is why Arteta genuinely believes his team can win the Premier League title this season.
The victory sent Arsenal six points clear at the top of the Premier League, but the coming weeks will be a severe test. A demanding fixture list includes a Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Wednesday, followed by a Premier League match against Chelsea on Sunday. The following week brings a midweek game against Brentford and a tough away trip to Aston Villa on a Saturday lunchtime.
It is during this relentless schedule that the true value of a united squad will be realised. As the injured players return over the coming weeks, the foundation of mutual support and collective ambition, so vividly displayed after the Tottenham win, could be the defining factor in Arsenal's title charge.
