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Arsenal ‘attitude was exceptional’ in defeat against Chelsea – Arteta

Mikel Arteta: Arsenal v Chelsea - Premier League
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The Gunners slipped up yet again in their second outing of the new campaign, but the manager took away several positives this time around.

Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal’s “attitude was exceptional” against Chelsea in spite of his side succumbing to a 2-0 defeat.

The London derby loss leaves Arsenal with zero points out of a possible six they could’ve accumulated had the two Premier League fixtures gone their way.

Pressure keeps piling up on Arteta, who hasn’t really been able to prove he’s the right man to lead the Gunners to a bright future. The former club captain did bring the FA Cup to the Emirates in his first season in charge but things have only gone downhill from there.

The Spanish manager, however, chooses to stay optimistic, hailing his players for their resolute and unwavering mentality.

“I certainly saw a team that never gave up and kept trying in the second half. Their attitude was exceptional,” Arteta stated in his post-match press conference.

“It’s always tough to lose 2-0 at home against an opponent who were able to perform at the level that they did today, collectively and individually.

“It makes it really hard. But what was clear was that they never gave up. The crowd tried to push them and we tried to fight right until the end.”

Up next for Arsenal is an intimidating away fixture against defending champions Manchester City, who thrashed Norwich City 5-0 at the Etihad on Saturday.

Asked how he’ll motivate his players for the crunch clash, Arteta bluntly responded: “They don’t need motivating.

“Honestly, they are really together, one thing they don’t need is motivating. That is really clear, they are really trying what they can do. Give them confidence, that is what they need.”

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