Mikel Arteta hails Arsenal mentality and sends clear new title message to players | OneFootball

Gunners boss thrilled with captain Martin Odegaard’s reaction after being benched for Leeds demolition

The Gunners made the trip to Elland Road to face Leeds on the back of a three-match winless run in the Premier League that had cut their lead at the top to four points.

It was a timely return to form, but Arteta suggested the recent scrutiny had been too quick to focus on one poor run rather than the bigger picture.

"Well, it's very impressive," Arteta said. "But we talk about that noise, but it was a great noise as well, the fact that we were the first team in the Champions League to win eight in a row. That's a lot of noise, but a very positive one.

"But we want to talk always more about the other noise. The other noise is part of that. The expectation is to win every game.

"We compete against incredible opponents, and we know that's the case, but that has to fuel your energy and desire to win more than anything else, in my opinion."

Martin Odegaard has struggled for form recently and he dropped to the bench here, with Kai Havertz taking his place in midfield.

However, the Arsenal captain looked sharp after coming on for the final 30 minutes, assisting Gyokeres' goal, and Arteta was proud of how his players stepped up in difficult circumstances.

"So happy, so happy the way [Odegaard] reacted," he said.

"But in general, the team, and obviously certain individuals. It's normal. The opinion, the noise is part of that.

"What we can control is what we can do, how much we want it, and trying to get the best out of yourself and the team in every moment. The rest is not possible.

"We'll have to be judged on that because there's nothing else that we can do apart from giving our best."