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‘It’s why we won’: Mikel Arteta says three Arsenal players were incredible in training just before the Chelsea game
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta lavished praise on Mohamed Elneny, Rob Holding and Nicolas Pepe after his side beat Chelsea last night.
The Gunners went into the game at Stamford Bridge after three consecutive defeats in the Premier League. Nobody really expected them to end their winless run, but Arteta’s men surprised many people.
The Arsenal boss changed his system last night and brought in Holding and Elneny. The two players have barely played for the Gunners this season, but both of them did a fantastic job against the Blues.
Arteta was quizzed about the duo yesterday and the Spaniard heaped praise on them and Nicolas Pepe for being incredible in training despite not playing regularly.
Mikel Arteta praises Mo Elneny, Rob Holding and Nicolas Pepe
Asked about Holding and Elneny performing well despite not playing a lot, Arteta said, as per : “I’ve said to them many times, the way that they train.
“If you see the training session that we had on Sunday after the defeat, if you see Mo Elneny, Rob Holding, Nicolas Pepe, how they trained – I think it’s the reason why we won.
“I said to them before the game, to good people good things happen guys, and we have some really really good people in that dressing room.
“That shows in difficult moments when they are not involved, not in the good moments. They have performed today because of how they look after themselves and how much they care about the team.”
TBR View:
Holding and Elneny really do deserve praise for stepping up last night and playing as well as they did. Both players know that they don’t have a future at the club beyond the end of the season, especially the Egyptian, but to see them still perform for the side is excellent.
It was interesting that Arteta mentioned Pepe as well last night, even though the Ivorian didn’t come off the bench. The ex-Lille man has really struggled for game time as well this season, but to hear praise from his manager should go down really well.
Arsenal have six games left to play this season and they need everybody’s help to get into the top four.
Elneny and Holding proved last night that they are up for it and Saturday’s game against Manchester United could prove to be the perfect occasion for Pepe to come on and show the world what he’s all about.
