{"id":300938,"date":"2023-11-30T08:25:12","date_gmt":"2023-11-30T08:25:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=300938"},"modified":"2023-11-30T08:25:12","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T08:25:12","slug":"mikel-arteta-praises-really-convincing-arsenal-after-champions-league-rout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/soccer\/mikel-arteta-praises-really-convincing-arsenal-after-champions-league-rout\/","title":{"rendered":"Mikel Arteta praises \u2018really convincing\u2019 Arsenal after Champions League rout"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Mikel Arteta admitted it was a \u201cgenuine dream\u201d watching Arsenal\u2019s dominant 6-0 victory over Lens at the Emirates Stadium which saw them qualify for the Champions League last 16.<\/p>\n
The Gunners topped Group B with a game to spare after they battered their French opponents with six different goalscorers.<\/p>\n
Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard struck in the first half before Jorginho added their sixth from the penalty spot late on.<\/p>\n
Arsenal boss Arteta talked up his team\u2019s determination which secured the club\u2019s 100th Champions League victory.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a genuine dream,\u201d Arteta said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a chance to qualify today and we\u2019ve done it in a really convincing way against a really good side. The team from the beginning showed a lot of aggression and determination to go for the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great we\u2019re able to win in this way and we showed at home not to concede any goals and score a lot which is a positive factor. The players need to believe we can do that against big opponents.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Spaniard noted that qualification with a game to spare allows him to rotate in Arsenal\u2019s final group fixture against PSV Eindhoven on December 12.<\/p>\n
Arteta added: \u201cEvery time we play a football match we\u2019ll prepare in the best way but it will give us some room now certainly in relation to the state of the squad by being able to use certain players more or less.\u201d<\/p>\n
Havertz scored his second in as many games after the German netted a dramatic late winner in Saturday\u2019s 1-0 Premier League victory at Brentford.<\/p>\n
The attacker\u2019s influence in recent games has impressed Arteta after a difficult start to life in north London since his reported\u00a0\u00a365million move from Chelsea in the summer.<\/p>\n
\u201cKai again scored two goals in two games and that\u2019s really good for the confidence of the player,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s scoring goals, playing well, participating in wins. Those are positive attributes and you can see the reception of his team-mates and the crowd singing his name and being with him in every positive action.<\/p>\n
We had a chance to qualify today and we\u2019ve done it in a really convincing way against a really good side. The team from the beginning showed a lot of aggression and determination to go for the game<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are good things that are going to help him show why he\u2019s a tremendous player.\u201d<\/p>\n
Declan Rice had another flawless game in midfield and Arteta applauded the England international\u2019s consistency and decision-making.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cHe was superb again today with the consistency and understanding of the game that he\u2019s showing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe decision-making all the time and the action and timing to win the ball back is so good.\u201d<\/p>\n