After a slow run of four league games without a win, big wins over Nottingham Forest and the Portuguese side have lifted Arsenal’s spirits but they still need to improve their consistency, manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday.
Arsenal, who traveled to London on Saturday, thrashed Forest 3-0 at West Ham United last week, before beating Sporting 5-1 away in the Champions League on Tuesday.
“It’s really good, winning increases strength and confidence. “They were two big wins for us, now it’s about consistency and moving forward tomorrow against a good opponent,” Arteta told reporters before the match at the London Stadium.
“We have to repeat the performance to win the game. “Now it’s every three days, it’s not about what you did yesterday, it’s about the next performance.”
Arsenal’s improvement coincided with the return of captain Martin Odegaard after a long spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury, and Arteta praised the Norwegian midfielder’s impact on the team.
“The way he prepares, the work he has done with the physiological and medical department, with the importance of the season as well,” said the Spaniard.
“He has been exceptional since Chelsea and has been very consistent. He is very reliable in taking the game to the next level. “He is a high caliber player.”
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Arsenal are fourth in the table with 22 points from 12 games, behind Chelsea, third, and one point behind Manchester City, second.
With City facing league leaders Liverpool and Chelsea at home against Aston Villa, Arsenal could move into second place if they can beat 14th-placed West Ham.
However, Arteta insisted West Ham cannot be taken lightly, referring to their 2-0 win at Newcastle United on Monday, adding: “(West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui) and I are friends . I am very surprised by what he has done. in the game.
“He is from the same region as me, which is in the north of Spain. “They are a team that has achieved a good result in Newcastle and is always a tough opponent.”
Arteta added that he would request the participation of defender Gabriel after the Brazil international left the field with some discomfort in the 84th minute of the victory over Sporting.
