Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, has emphasized the need for his players to improve their game management skills.
Mikel Arteta’s comments came on the heels of an exhilarating 5-2 victory against West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday.
During the match, Arsenal surged to a commanding 4-0 lead early on. However, the game took an unexpected turn when West Ham quickly netted two goals, reducing the Gunners’ comfortable edge to a mere two-goal advantage and reigniting hope among the home fans.
In a crucial moment, Bukayo Saka converted a penalty, effectively quelling any resurgence from the Hammers and solidifying Arsenal’s dominance in the match.
Arteta reflected on the rollercoaster nature of the game during his post-match interview with BBC Match of the Day, stating, “We made it crazy; we played so well at the start of the game. We scored three early goals, which was fantastic, but then they struck back immediately after kick-off, scoring once and then again soon after.
“At that point, it became a tense contest. We have to work on managing games better moving forward – while we did manage to see it out in the end, we should have been more composed. The last two fixtures had their challenges, and scoring goals is something we view as a significant positive.”
Adding to the post-match discourse, former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp remarked on the pivotal role of Martin Ødegaard in the Arsenal setup.
He described the Norwegian international as the “glue” that holds the team together, highlighting Ødegaard’s performance in the match against West Ham as a key example of his contributions.
Ødegaard was instrumental throughout the encounter, not only converting a penalty in the 34th minute but also contributing significantly to the team’s attacking rhythm.
His playmaking abilities were on full display as he provided two key passes and completed two out of three long ball attempts, showcasing his vision and creativity on the pitch, as noted by performance analytics site Sofascore.
“This game truly illustrates the vital role Martin Ødegaard plays in this Arsenal team”, Redknapp told Sky Sports. “He seamlessly knits everything together on the field. His bravery in possession and his consistently smart passing make him an absolute joy to watch. Every time he has the ball, he makes the right decision, and that quality is invaluable for Mikel Arteta’s side.”
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