Mikel Arteta couldn’t wipe the smile off of his face following Tuesday night’s 5-0 win at home to Chelsea.
After taking an early lead we held onto the advantage going into the half-time break before showing ruthlessness in front of goal to create a relaxing second half for Gooners at Emirates Stadium.
“With the result, with the goals, with the clean sheet and then overall with the night that we lived together with our supporters, it was magical from the beginning,” Mikel said after the match.
“We started really good, very determined and created many, many chances. Then we became a bit sloppy and we lost one or two balls in dangerous areas and they can punish you and we should have got punished and in the second half we reacted.
“We were much more disciplined, the same threat going forward, same aggression without the ball and to score five goals and keep a clean sheet against this team, credit to the boys.”
After Ben White got his second and our fifth - a cross that he admitted he didn’t mean to go in - the cameras cut to a stunned Mikel who couldn’t quite believe what he’d seen.
“It was a joy to watch,” he said. “I wasn't clear on what he wanted to do, I haven't asked him yet but I can imagine the answer. But again, I think individually, another great game.”
Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu both came back into the starting line-up and Mikel was pleased with their contributions.
“Yeah, it's really good,” he said. “I think Thomas has been gaining some rhythm, he has missed so much football in the last few months and we believe that it was a game for him and he could impact the team in the right way and he certainly has done that.”
Mikel also had a word on the fantastic support at Emirates Stadium ahead of a big north London derby.
“It was unbelievable,” he said. “They were bouncing, they were singing, they were supporting, they were thriving with the team. Thank you so much because with that atmosphere here it's really, really difficult for the opponent.
“We're going to enjoy tonight, have a lovely dinner right now. Rest a little bit and tomorrow we start with Spurs.”
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