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Arteta: 'We're getting everything from the fans'

After seeing his side thrash Sevilla 6-0 in front of a packed Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta was delighted to see the connection between the players and the crowd continue to grow heading into the upcoming Premier League campaign.

The boss watched Gabriel Jesus net a hat-trick, Bukayo Saka add two more and Eddie Nketiah complete the scoring amidst a superb atmosphere on home turf, and believes that contributed to our fast start that saw us 4-0 up within the opening 20 minutes.

Speaking post-match he said of our supporters: “They are going to hopefully love every player, for the commitment and everything that they try to give on that pitch. I think that connection is being built because they know that the players transmit what they are willing to do. 

“We want to give them [the supporters] the right enjoyment, and the right performances to make them happy, and we are getting everything back from them as well. So I think there is good chemistry there.”

Today’s victory finished off a successful summer, with the squad netting 26 times in seven matches, but despite this latest goalfest Arteta is refusing to get carried away ahead of next Friday’s trip to Crystal Palace, when the games really matter.

“It was a great performance, right from the beginning,” he said. “The way we started, the intensity that we played with, the atmosphere that we created again, with our people, it made a special day. Obviously, the result is big, but it’s just a test match, nothing else.

“We have shared the minutes across the team in the best possible way. We had another game on Wednesday at Colney, and everybody needs to fit, because things can still happen from here until Friday. Everybody needs to be available and at their best to give the right performance.

“We are really excited for the season. We know that Friday night is going to be a very different game, with a different context and atmosphere. We have to prepare really well for that.” 

The highlight of the afternoon was Gabriel Jesus’ hat-trick, which saw him presented with the player of the match award by Jose Antonio Reyes’ father as the two clubs paid tribute to someone who represented them with distinction.

Having played with Reyes in the same youth sides representing Spain, today was poignant for Arteta and he admits it made the afternoon even more memorable.

“It was a really nice moment. I think it was a perfect set-up, and a nice day; something that we will remember. A player who for me especially means a lot, because I was a teammate of his. Just to see his family, his father, the day that he had - I think it was very special.”