Mikel Arteta watched his Arsenal side secure a comfortable 2-0 win over Luton Town on Wednesday and return to the top of the Premier League, even with Manchester City picking up all three points.
Arteta made a number of changes to the side that played out a tactical 0-0 draw with Premier League champions City on the weekend. It saw Declan Rice benched, and Bukayo Saka out of the squad entirely.
But despite the changes, Arsenal were their normal selves and wrapped the game up in the first half – with goals coming from captain Martin Odegaard, before Reiss Nelson tapped home in a second goal.
The second half saw Arsenal not needed to get out of second gear as Luton struggled to lay a glove on The Gunners, as Arsenal secured a 21st Premier League win of the campaign. An easy win as they’ll get.
Mikel Arteta intensity shown once again despite easy Arsenal win
But that did not stop Mikel Arteta from injecting intensity even late in the game. A few minutes before the end of the game, with Arsenal cruising, Belgian star Leandro Trossard was fouled right in front of Arteta.
Instead of waiting for the free-kick, Arteta chose to try and run the game down, ushering the upended Trossard back onto the pitch – to run the clock down further. BBC reporter Alex Howell said on BBC Live:
“Leandro Trossard is fouled on the touchline in front of the Arsenal dugout. Mikel Arteta has no time for sympathy and pushes him back onto the field to make sure Arsenal don’t concede in the time that is left.”
Arsenal have City breathing down their necks, but are in control
That Arteta was still able to make changes but watch his side produce one of his the easiest league wins of the season, shows just how good a place Arsenal are currently. This run of form must stay until May.
A loss, or an inability to win a game that they should have won, and it will dent any confidence Arsenal have of pipping Pep Guardiola’s men. Gary Lineker is confident the Gunners will go on to win the title.
But City are close, and a confident performance against Aston Villa this evening – including a Phil Foden hat-trick – means City are only a point behind. Chris Sutton still thinks City will beat Arsenal to the title.
The post 'No time for sympathy': BBC reporter shares why Mikel Arteta pushed Leandro Trossard tonight appeared first on TBR Football.