Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta offered what could be seen as questionable praise for Chelsea after Sunday’s London derby, perhaps in an attempt to elevate his team’s narrow victory.
Heading into the match, Arsenal had managed just two points from their last three games, leaving them 15 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool. With Nottingham Forest closing in and Chelsea having the opportunity to reduce the gap to three points with a win at the Emirates Stadium, it was crucial for Arteta’s side to secure a morale-boosting result.
They achieved just that, thanks to a first-half header from stand-in striker Mikel Merino. However, the game was largely devoid of quality from both sides, making Arteta’s post-match comments about Chelsea all the more surprising.
“I think we deserved to win the match,” Arteta told BBC Sport. “We were the better team. We didn’t concede any real chances, apart from a strange save from David [Raya] in the first half, against a team that, in my opinion, is the best attacking side in the league – in terms of their setup, their patterns, and the quality they possess.”
Arteta’s description of Chelsea as the Premier League’s best attacking team raised eyebrows. The Blues have scored 53 league goals this season, matching Arsenal’s tally. While this is a respectable figure, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City (both with 55 goals) have been more prolific, and Liverpool lead the way with a division-high 69 goals.
Additionally, Chelsea were without their three most reliable forwards in this game: Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, and Noni Madueke, fielding a weakened attack as a result.
When asked why Arsenal didn’t capitalize more on their dominance, Arteta attributed it to “a lack of fortune, the final pass, and the right decision in key moments. We had so many opportunities, but unfortunately, we didn’t finish them.”
He also referenced the ongoing injury absence of key players, particularly Bukayo Saka, and expressed hope for their return after the international break. “Let’s take a breather and bring some players back, ideally,” he added.
