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Mikel Arteta praises his team after the 4-2 victory against Aston Villa for the strength of their character to fight back after going behind twice.
Mikel Arteta lauded his team for their resilience, character, and quality in their comeback victory against Aston Villa.
Arsenal temporarily reclaimed the top spot of the Premier League table following a hard-fought 4-2 victory away at Villa Park against a tough Unai Emery setup.
Arsenal back to winning ways
Ollie Watkins gave Aston Villa the lead in the fifth minute, but Bukayo Saka equalised for Arsenal in the 16th. The hosts took the lead once more in the 31st minute, and they were able to maintain that advantage for 30 minutes before Oleksandr Zinchenko once again brought Arsenal even.
Arsenal turned on the hit and sent barrage after barrage of attacks at the Villians' goal. They were ultimately rewarded for their persistence in the 90+3rd minute when Jorginho hit a powerful shot that crashed under the crossbar but ricocheted off Emiliano Martinez's head to turn the ball into the post.
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Martinelli sealed the victory with a counter-attack on an empty Villa goal vacated by Emiliano Martinez in an attempt to increase his team’s scoring chances from what was the last corner of the game.
Arteta, speaking after the match, praised his team's character and resilience. He acknowledged that Unai Emery's men proved a difficult opposition, but their individual quality and his tactical input were the difference makers on the day.
"We showed a lot of resilience, character and quality. We had some difficulties in the first-half, but individually we brought the level right down. Then we altered a few things, and we produced a very strong performance."
Arteta on Jorginho
Jorginho joined Arsenal in the January transfer window as cover for Partey. He was immediately thrust into responsibilities with an injury to the Ghanaian.
The 31-year-old Italian was solid all-round today, and his long-range effort forced the own-goal from Martinez. Arteta spoke on him after the game, hailing his ability to bring out the best in his teammate.
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"The biggest quality he has is that he makes the other people look better. He’s made a huge impact already. I thought he was tremendous."
The next hurdle on Arsenal's path as they charge toward the title is an away clash against resurgent Leicester City.
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