Arteta praises former Gunner after he provides title boost | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has praised Konstantinos Mavropanos after the former Gunner did his old club a favour with a goal against Manchester City at the weekend.

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For all the drama of Arsenal’s late win over Everton on Saturday, it was arguably just as significant that Manchester City dropped points away to West Ham United later that afternoon.

Arsenal’s win on its own only maintained the status quo, but City’s failure to match it with a win of their own meant the gap at the top grew from seven points to nine.

Ex-Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos was perhaps the key player in that result, scoring West Ham’s equaliser but also providing a massive 21 defensive contributions.

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Speaking after that game in his pre-Bayer Leverkusen press conference, ‘Mikel Arteta was asked about his former player’s performance.

“Yeah, very, very good character,” Arteta responded. “A player that was signed just before I arrived as well, and he had a long-term injury as well, and he didn’t get that many minutes.

“But it’s good to see him doing really well and that’s it, and all the players that have been with us, wish them all the best.”

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It’s perhaps a bit early for Arsenal fans to be singing Mavropanos’ praises at this point, as the Gunners still have to play away to West Ham themselves.

The defender’s goal helping to extend Arsenal’s lead is great news right now, but it could all be undone if he puts in a similar display in May.