It is very early days in the Premier League season, of course, and Arsenal need to back up what we did at the weekend after winning our first game away to Watford, but it definitely looks like the weekend has done the players the power of good, and has restored some swagger and a lot of the confidence that was damaged in recent weeks.
A scintillating first half with three goals was followed by a controlled and battling performance in the second half, so the Arsenal stars at both ends of the pitch were left feeling much better about the chances of challenging for the title this season.
Theo Walcott played well on the right providing an assist, and he could have had at least one more and perhaps got on the score sheet himself, but it was the all-round showing of the team that he spoke about most in a report on the Arsenal website.
Theo said, “[At Leicester] We played some very good football at but we didn’t really take our chances. Today, we did. It might have been a slightly quieter second half but we all worked tremendously well actually. We’re disappointed with the goal, but overall you’ve got to look at the three points. It was really important just to get the three points today. The performance, to be honest, didn’t really matter. We had a bit of everything today.
“The guys up front and everyone on the pitch all worked tremendously hard. We tend to play our best football when we win it very high up the field and we managed to do that. Especially in the first half, I think some of the football we played was just breathtaking to actually be part of. In the second half we always knew there was going to be a reaction from Watford and the next goal was obviously very important. They managed to get that and the defence will be very disappointed with that, like myself. But like I say, three points – that’s all that matters today.
“Overall you’ve got to look at the whole game itself and 3-1, but it could’ve been a lot more. It really could’ve been, especially in the first half like you say. But we all really worked hard defensively today. Leicester, keeping a clean sheet today, I felt that the whole team worked really hard. We wanted a reaction today, we’ve trained well throughout the whole week and hopefully now everyone can go to the international break and hopefully come back fit.
“We don’t want to get carried away. It’s only three games in, but it’s a good stepping stone. We’ve got a long way to go yet. We know there’s going to be points won in games everywhere, but like I said, the international break has probably come at a bad time for us really. But I’m sure we will bounce back from it when we come back.”
Petr Cech played a huge part in Arsenal taking all the points, especially with his saves in the second half, and although he was pleased with the way the Gunners held out for the win he was more encouraged by the first half performance, telling Sky Sports that he feels our challenge has now started in earnest.
Cech said, “In the first half certainly because we did so well.
“We have 35 more games to play. Like everybody else, we are going to fight to win every game to be in the mix until the last kick. Last season it wasn’t easy.
“You work every day to be ready for weekend and midweek games and all the games that come. We know we are not an exception.
“We want to win the title and we want to challenge at the top of the Premier League. There is no hiding from that. Everybody else will do the same, so we will try to do our best.”
What do you think of our title chances now Gooners?
Bob.