Arsenal continued their ideal start to the season as Mikel Arteta's side registered a huge 3-2 win over Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and a Bukayo Saka brace earned the win over the Reds, who pulled the home side back twice through Darwin Nunez and Roberto Firmino.
It was a resolute performance from the Gunners in a chaotic game, taking the side back to the top of the Premier League after nine games played. Their start has beaten expectations so far, but Mikel Arteta still refuses to get carried away, telling Sky Sports: "That’s the word, more relief, more confidence that we can compete and play at this level and actually win which is more important.
"They [Manchester City] are really strong, they have done that for five years and we have not done that."
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It has proven a huge step forward from last season, where the side narrowly missed out on a return to the top four and Champions League. There were concerns that being back in European competition could hinder their chances at making a push like the previous campaign, but it certainly hasn't started that way.
It's led former Manchester United defender and pundit Gary Neville to make a huge U-turn on his opinion after the game, telling Sky Sports: "Huge day for Arsenal, said before the game a big test and they’ve come through in the second-half, outran them [Liverpool], outplayed them.
"He’s [Mikel Arteta] so relieved, I was worried about him at the end of last season, I thought not qualifying for the Champions League could be fatal for him at Arsenal for his job but the recruitment has been good, the start to the season has been electric. They’re matching Manchester City at the moment, which is some achievement in itself."
It remains to be seen if the Gunners can continue that run of form, but in an unusual season broken up by a miseason break for the World Cup, anything could happen.
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