Mathieu Flamini says "solidarity" has been the key to Arsenal's early-season success.
The French midfielder has been one of the driving forces behind the Gunners' 10-match winning streak after returning to the Club in the summer.
Arsene Wenger's squad was questioned after starting the campaign with a home defeat against Aston Villa, but Flamini was always confident that they would prove their doubters wrong.
"Many people were talking outside of the Club but from the inside we knew we had a lot of qualities," he said. "We had a difficult period but the manager never changed his philosophy and believed very strongly in this team. I’m really happy he has proved what he did was the right thing.
"Technique, once you have it, you have it. But solidarity, you have to work on it"
"We are trusting each other. This is the result of a lot of work. Trust is very important. The main thing is to have quality in the team but after that you need to find team spirit.
"When you start helping each other, fighting for each other on the pitch, this helps you to win games. Especially during a difficult period, it helps you to stay focused, be a unit, and go from a bad period to a good period.
"Team spirit is difficult to find, and difficult to keep, so we have to work very hard on that. What makes the difference is the solidarity in the team. Technique, once you have it, you have it. But solidarity, you have to work on it."
The arrival of Flamini was overshadowed by the club record signing of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid. But the Frenchman has emerged as a vital cog in the Arsenal machine.
"I am not a striker, I am a defensive midfielder, protecting the defence, trying to find the best balance in the team between the defence and attack," said Flamini.
"That’s very important. For a team to be strong defensively makes all the difference. If you want to win titles, if you want to travel anywhere, you have to be strong defensively. With the qualities we have in the team I am sure we will score goals anywhere.
"Defensive work is maybe a bit more difficult to see than when you score or make an assist. But it’s very important as part of the balance of the team. Winning games is a quality of effort. It’s teamwork. I am trying to do my best for the team.
"The back four do a lot of work so I am trying to protect my defence to the maximum."
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