Arteta basks in afterglow of statement win over Chelsea, masterminded by Arsenal captain
The smile was possibly as broad as we have ever seen it. It wasn't just that he had got one over his good friend from the same part of the world as himself, Xabi Alonso, but also because his team showed the mettle of champions.
If Mikel Arteta was looking for signs that his team is still very much hungry for more after winning the title last season, Sunday's 2-1 victory over Chelsea showed plenty.
The fight, the desire to come back after conceding after barely 75 seconds told him everything he needed to know about his team's mentality. They do not look like a side content to rest on their laurels after last season's success.
"I think it was an exceptional performance. I think I enjoyed every minute of it, from the beginning to the end," said the Arsenal boss. "The beginning was tough but I enjoyed it because the team reacted in a spectacular way. The condition, the determination, the quality, the intent to hurt them constantly, it was beautiful.
"It was a fascinating game for the spectatoras well and I think we deserved to win the game, which I'm really pleased about.
"We did something badly in conceding the goal, which we had discussed before, but credit to them as that from that ball in the air, they were able to to put the ball very close to the post to beat David [Raya] which is not easy.
"After tha,t I think the crowd was incredible again and the atmosphere that we generated in the stadium wasso inspiring as well and was so helpful, and yes, it feels like a big win for us."
Arteta continued: "I think it's an indication for us of how capable we are to perform at a higher level than last season and it depends on us if we maintain and sustain that desire, that humbleness, and continue every day to find an [even] better version. We still have a lot to grow and a lot to offer. That's the ambition of the team.
"It's super hard [in this league] with the margins that you win games. We saw that at Villa Park a few days ago. It was a very tough one and we've seen that again today, And we will go to Sunderland next and it will be so, so, tough. Every week it's going to be like this, but that's what we prepare for."
Several players had outsanding afternoons at the Emirates - Ezri Konsa's tackle on Morgan Rogers earning one of the biggest cheers - but arguably no-one shone as brightly as skipper Martin Odegaard.
"Confidence-wise, I think it's the highest that I've seen him and he has a point to prove from last season after missing so much football," Arteta said. "It happens and Kai Havertz is the same. We missed so many attacking players last season for long, long periods.
"I don't know how many times those two have played together in the last year or so, but probably not much.And when you see what they can produce together, it's great. But for me, he gets to that point because he's enjoying his football - and you have to enjoy what you do. You have to play with real intent and that's what I loved seeing today.
"He was running forward, he took shots, he created so many situations for his teammates.
"He demands from himself so much. He wants to be the best at everything and perfect at everything - and he's playing with real joy and he was phenomenal today."
On Havertz, Arteta said: "Again, he looks happy. His personal life's gone great Things have happened. He feels fit, he's training every day and he's scoring goals. He's done amazing work for the team."
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