'Mistakes are part of football' - Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta hails Aaron Ramsdale for 'fantastic' reaction to error
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Updated 09/03/2024 at 21:06 GMT
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta saw his side go back to the top of the Premier League table after battling to a 2-1 win over Brentford on Saturday evening at the Emirates Stadium. Goals from Declan Rice and Kai Havertz were enough to earn three points, and speaking after the match, Arteta praised Aaron Ramsdale for recovering from a mistake, and the rest of his team for their determination.
Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal celebrates after teammate Declan Rice (not pictured) scores his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brentford FC at Emirates Stadium on March 09, 2024 in London, England
Image credit: Getty Images
Mikel Arteta praised Aaron Ramsdale's "huge personality and courage" after an error from the goalkeeper threatened to cost Arsenal a win over Brentford.
Arsenal took the lead on 19 minutes through midfielder Declan Rice, but an error from Ramsdale - only playing because on-loan David Raya could not face his parent club - allowed Yoane Wissa to equalise in first-half added time.
Pressure started to grow in the stadium as fans and players were aware that they needed a victory to maintain pressure at the top of the table. After falling short last year, Arteta’s men are attempting to pip closest rivals Manchester City and Liverpool to the Premier League title.
Relief came in the 75th minute when Kai Havertz grabbed the winner after converting Ben White’s cross, and the victory leaves Arsenal one point clear of Liverpool, and two ahead of Manchester City, though both chasing teams have a game in hand.
Despite his first-half error, Ramsdale went on to make some crucial saves in the second half, including one from rumoured Arsenal target Ivan Toney.
In his press conference following the match, Arteta praised Ramsdale for not hiding after the error.
He said: "He did exactly what he is which is a person with huge personality and courage. Errors are part of football. It’s how you react to it and he did so in an amazing way. I’m not surprised. We really wanted to win for him."
Speaking to the BBC shortly after the match ended, Arteta also praised his team for their battling qualities in the win.
He said: "I am really satisfied with the performance and the result obviously, and the manner we did it.
"It was against a team that demands a lot of emotional control and we did in a great way. We showed courage and we were rewarded.
"At 1-0 it could have been a very different game but with the goal we conceded we had to play that game, but in the end we deserved to win the game.
"That is the beautiful thing about this stadium. They support with mistakes. We had certain things we would have to overcome, we were going to do it and we fully believed we would do it."
When asked if he was happier to be top of the table or the manner of the win, Arteta replied: "The manner of the win, 100%. The spirit we showed. Tomorrow will be a great day to watch some fantastic games of football.
"It is not in my hands, it is a joy to be part of this league and a joy to be part of something special that we are trying to achieve."
Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday afternoon
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