Mikel Arteta lauded the maturity of Arsenal after they sent a message with a first Premier League win over Manchester City since 2015.
Gabriel Martinelli’s deflected effort in the 86th minute ended the Gunners’ run of 12 consecutive top-flight defeats to Pep Guardiola’s side.
It helped Arsenal leapfrog City in the table to finish the weekend as joint leaders and while Guardiola insisted his champions are happy to chase again like they managed successfully last season, it felt like a potentially decisive early blow had been landed between these title rivals.
What it means ❤️ pic.twitter.com/EzB9NRoKEn
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 8, 2023
“A great feeling. You could sense it’s been so many years without beating them. Today I think we beat the best team in the world without a question of a doubt,” Arteta said.
“We did it in a great way because there were moments where we had to suffer and moments where we showed real desire, determination and belief to beat them, so I’m really happy.
“Certainly it sends a message to the team to keep believing in what they’re doing because they’re a fantastic group of players.
“The way they try and the chemistry that they have, you need it to be there. So, I’m really proud.
“The team showed a real maturity today, that comes from experiences. Sometimes you need that to become a better team.”
Arsenal’s winner was created by Arteta’s substitutes, with Thomas Partey’s cross-field ball headed down by Takehiro Tomiyasu to Kai Havertz, who teed up Martinelli and the forward’s first-time effort deflected off Nathan Ake and past Ederson.
It ensured the post-match narrative shifted away from Mateo Kovacic after the Manchester City midfielder was fortunate to avoid a first-half red card.
The VAR checked his late tackle on Martin Odegaard in the 29th minute but decided against upgrading a caution and referee Michael Oliver kept his cards in his pocket six minutes later when Kovacic caught Declan Rice.
Arteta added: “I saw the action live and it looked like a big challenge. I haven’t seen the replay.
“I’m not bothered actually. I just want to enjoy the win. I’ll hear if we talk about it and I understand if we have to do something about it but we won the game, thankfully.”
"The season is long" – @PepTeam 💬 pic.twitter.com/XqCfZEa50B
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 8, 2023
Opposite number Guardiola said: “Well for the reaction from everyone for a separate action? I don’t know.
“I’m pretty sure he was not sent off because it was not a sending off. I am pretty sure he would have sent him off if it was a sending off.”
Defeat for City makes it back-to-back Premier League losses – which last happened in December 2018 – and three in four in all competitions after going down to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, Wolves and now Arsenal.
Lynchpin midfielder Rodri, out due to suspension, has been a big miss in those defeats but Guardiola says his team are comfortable being behind the eight ball right now – with Tottenham and Arsenal holding a two-point advantage – in pursuit of a record fourth Premier League crown.
He said: “Rodri is a really important player, like the other ones, for the fact that last year he plays a lot of games.
“Yeah, Carabao Cup was a little bit different but of course against Wolves it was important and today as well. We know it and as a manager I have to find the moment he is not there, the way to do it.
“I have gratitude for the guys, they give everything, they fought and I know how disappointed they are because we are not used (to losing) but it is football, it happens.
“No team ever won four in a row, so for the statistics it didn’t happen, but we are in October and sometimes it is good to go behind.
“It is not the first time we are behind and the contenders are up front. Last season we were much, much behind than here, but the season is long.”
Guardiola was more coy on an incident at full-time between Erling Haaland, who failed to have a single shot, and Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jover.
Words were exchanged between Haaland and Jover, with staff from both clubs involved after the full-time whistle.
“I know what happened but I won’t say anything. They (Arsenal) know it,” Guardiola smiled.
Premier League clubs increased their spending in the January window to £370 million -- up on the £100m paid out last year -- though Manchester City are chiefly responsible after splashing out £180m of that on their own. We were nowhere near the 2023 record of £815m, but will the summer see a rise in expensive moves?This year, for the first time, the transfer window has been spl...
Serie A giants register interest in Bournemouth defender Marcos SenesiJuventus and Roma have both registered an interest in Bournemouth centre back Marcos Senesi, according to several reports in Italy.According to DAZN and Sport Mediaset transfer pundit Orazio Accomando, Roma and Juventus are weighing up bids for the 28-year-old.Senesi’s current deal with Bournemouth is set to expire at the ...
'It will definitely happen' - Barcelona confirm Lionel Messi tributeBarcelona vice-president Elena Fort has confirmed the club plans to pay tribute to former player Lionel Messi once the Camp Nou is renovated.The 38-year-old was forced out of the club amid Barcelona’s disastrous financial problems without properly saying goodbye to the club.Messi himself has lamented not receiving the same k...
Cristiano Ronaldo doubles down on 'top five' Saudi Pro League claimCristiano Ronaldo has reiterated his belief that the Saudi Pro League is a 'top five' league in the world after committing the next two years to Al-Nassr.The 40-year-old recently put pen to paper on a new two-year deal that would keep him at Al-Nassr despite rumours he was unhappy.Ronaldo is yet to get his hands on a trophy since j...
Bryan Mbeumo's Man United salary offer revealedMan United have reportedly offered transfer target a bumper salary in an effort to persuade him to leave Brentford and move to Old Trafford.The-25-year-old is understood to be incredibly keen on making the switch although the two clubs are yet to reach an agreement.Brentford recently rejected United’s latest offer of 362.5 million including add-...
Besiktas reach agreement with Roma for Tammy AbrahamFormer Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham looks set to join Turkish giants Besiktas after they reportedly agree a fee with Roma.The 27-year-old spent last season on loan with Serie A rivals AC Milan, scoring ten goals and providing six assists in his 44 games.Abraham has since returned to Roma but has now accepted an offer from Besiktas after the two ...
Paris Saint-Germain v Inter Miami CF: Round Of 16 - FIFA Club World Cup 2025Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano hailed his team's performance in their Club World Cup round of 16 clash against Paris Saint-Germain but labelled the first half as a 'bloodbath' as the MLS side went down 4-0 against the European champions. Joao Neves led the way with a brace and Achraf Hakimi was also on target, while To...
Nick WoltemadeNick Woltemade is set for a massive pay rise if he joins Bayern Munich this summer. The striker has already informed Stuttgart that he wants to play for the Bundesliga champions, who are keen on signing the rising star. Stuttgart want to retain the player beyond this summer and have already offered a new contract, however, the Bavarian side's staggering bid might convince him to move...
CR Flamengo v FC Bayern München: Round Of 16 - FIFA Club World Cup 2025A strong first half helped Bayern Munich beat Brazilian side Flamengo 4-2 to set up a Club World Cup quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain.FBL-WC-CLUB-2025-MATCH52-FLAMENGO-BAYERNTELL ME MOREBayern were on the front foot from the off and took the lead when Joshua Kimmich's corner was flicked into his own net by Erick P...
🔊 Which team will secure a spot in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup? Bookmakers have made Inter the favorite. However, Brazilian teams have been impressive in the tournament, advancing through the group stage with their full squads intact. Fluminense stands out as a prominent representative. There are compelling arguments for both sides. Therefore, we will explore different scenarios to ma...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Club World Cup 2025: Benfica v Chelsea predictions, best bets and odds
- 3 Raphinha happy to see Barcelona miss out on FIFA Club World Cup
- 4 Mystery blonde who had night out with Kieran Trippier
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 Arsenal interested in signing Cristhian Mosquera
- 7 Salzburg vs Real Madrid Prediction 27 June 2025
- 8 Wayne Rooney gets Erling Haaland ponytail in shock new look
- 9 Arsenal have little chance of Liverpool target
- 10 Man United close in on Bryan Mbeumo