For the first time since 2013, Arsenal recorded three successive away clean sheets in the Premier League.
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Arsenal recorded their first league double against Chelsea since the 2003/04 edition of the Premier League, following their triumph by a 1-0 margin in the most recent league encounter. The Gunners have now registered their third successive win against the Blues in all competitions for the first time since 2004. The game further marked the 203rd clash between the two teams in all competitions, more than Chelsea have played against any other club. However, it recorded the first meeting between the clubs in May since 2009.
Arsenal further registered their fourth win in their last 19 Premier League meetings with Chelsea, with the previous three triumphs recorded at the Emirates. Manager Mikel Arteta was extremely happy after the Gunners recorded their third successive away clean sheet in the Premier League.
The hosts dominated possession for the majority of the game, with Bernd Leno delivering a fantastic performance.
“Great win. It shows how tough it is to come here and win against a fantastic team. I think what Thomas is doing is great. They have so much quality, really good organisation and make it really difficult for you. From the beginning, we showed that we were coming here to try to win with the right spirit, with the right attitude, we showed moments of real quality as well. We got the goal and then we had to defend in long periods. To do that, you have to be really committed and resilient. We needed some luck and we had it tonight,” said Arteta.
The Arsenal manager further had words of praise for Emile Smith Rowe, who delivered the goods when needed the most.
“Yes, he did it. Pressing really high, and the commitment that those players put in to try to be as high as possible and try to create difficulties, he got rewarded. Very good. We did it just with the purpose to be better, to make the game much more even and difficult for the opponent. I think we have managed to do that,” he stated.
Arteta has hailed his players following a “really difficult” clean sheet.
“It’s really difficult because not many teams manage to do that here. I think we had some really good moments in our high press, and when we had to defend deep I think we had some incredible organisation and really big individual performances there. Then, there’s a moment when we needed some luck and we had some luck,” he concluded.
