Arteta confident Arsenal can perform higher than last season

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes his side are capable of performing at a higher level than last season after maintaining their 100 per cent start to the Premier League campaign with a 2-1 comeback win over Chelsea on Sunday.

The Gunners recovered from Morgan Rogers’ early strike through goals from Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard either side of half-time to secure all three points at Emirates Stadium.

Speaking after the game, a post match report on the club website on Sunday said Arteta described Arsenal’s performance as “exceptional” and said the victory showed what his side could achieve this season.

“I think it’s an indication for us that we’re capable of performing even higher than we did last season,” Arteta said.

“It depends on whether we maintain that desire, that humility, and continue every day to find a greater version of myself and the team. We still have a lot to grow and a lot to offer, and that’s the ambition of the team.”

Odegaard enjoying football

Arteta believes Martin Odegaard’s improved form has been helped by his fitness and confidence, describing his current level as the highest he has seen from the Arsenal captain.

“First of all, he feels fit and confidence-wise, it’s the highest I’ve seen him,” Arteta said.

“He has a point to prove from last season as well, from missing so much football. Kai is the same; Bukayo is the same. We missed so many attacking players last season for long, long periods – I’m not sure how many games they played together last season, but probably not many.”

Arteta said Odegaard is benefiting from developing chemistry with his teammates and, importantly, enjoying his football.

“When you start to feel the chemistry they have between them and what they can produce, it’s great. But for me, he gets to that point because he’s enjoying his football.”

“You have to enjoy what you do, to play with real intent, and that’s what I saw today. He was running forward; he took shots, created so many situations for his teammates – he was great.”

Havertz happy, settled

Arteta also highlighted Kai Havertz’s contribution to Arsenal’s strong start, saying the German forward appears happier and more settled.

“He looks happy. He looks settled, happy, and some great things have happened in his personal life as well,” Arteta said.

“He feels fit, he’s training every day and has this routine right now. He’s scoring goals, but not only that – he’s also doing amazing work for the team.”

Arteta said Arsenal’s squad has the quality to improve further, stressing that the objective is for both the team and individual players to become better.

“It’s no question that we have some great players. I believe in them and that they can improve, and they can have another version of themselves that is even better than what we’ve seen. If the team is better and the players are better, everyone will benefit from it, and that’s the objective.”