Mikel Arteta Praises Arsenal's Character in Hard-Fought Win

Arteta hails Arsenal's maturity in 1-0 win over Fulham

Mikel Arteta described Arsenal's 1-0 victory over Fulham as an encouraging sign, highlighting the team's growth and resilience in overcoming a stubborn opponent to maintain their lead in the Premier League.

“He was very close again today. We were all begging for him to score...”

Mikel Arteta praised Arsenal's maturity and mental toughness in securing a 1-0 win over Fulham, ending the team's struggles at Craven Cottage. Leandro Trossard's decisive goal in the 58th minute marked Arsenal's fifth consecutive victory in all competitions.

Arteta commended his team's ability to adapt and persevere against a well-organized Fulham side. “When the context is 0-0, and the game gets longer and longer, it becomes more difficult,” he said. “But we showed a lot of maturity. We kept knocking on the door in various ways, and in the end, we found a way.”

The win extends Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League table, with the Gunners now three points clear of second-placed Manchester City. Arteta believes these victories demonstrate Arsenal's growing strength and title credentials.

Arsenal holds a three-point lead over second-placed Manchester City in the title race, with reigning champions Liverpool trailing by four points ahead of their match against Manchester United. After a slow start last season, Arsenal has excelled in key fixtures this term, earning nine points from nine in matches against Newcastle, Fulham (away), and West Ham (home). Their win at Craven Cottage marked their first in three visits, showcasing significant improvement.

Building strong foundations 🧱

Mikel’s full reaction to a big team display 👇

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 18, 2025

Mikel Arteta sees Arsenal's strong performances in crucial matches as a significant statement of intent in their pursuit of the title, a first since 2004. After finishing as runners-up for three consecutive seasons, Arsenal is determined to claim the championship.

“The recent history wasn't in our favour and we wanted to change that, like we did against Newcastle and West Ham at home,” Arteta said.

“And this is another step to having that mindset and that ability to win these kind of matches against a really good opposition, and a really difficult place to come.

“When the context is 0-0, and the game gets longer and longer, it becomes more difficult. But we showed a lot of maturity. We kept knocking on the door in various ways, and in the end we found a way, with the set-piece to do it, but we deserved it.”

Bukayo Saka's promising run was halted when he was brought down by Fulham substitute Kevin in the box, prompting referee Anthony Taylor to initially award a penalty. However, the VAR intervened, and after a review, Taylor reversed his decision, citing that Kevin had made contact with the ball before taking out Saka.

The decision was met with frustration from Arsenal players, who felt that Saka had been fouled. According to the referee, Kevin's touch on the ball was enough to negate the foul, resulting in a drop ball instead of a penalty.

The incident has sparked debate among fans and pundits, with some arguing that the contact between Kevin's leg and Saka's knee constituted a foul, regardless of the ball touch. Former player Steve Sidwell weighed in on the debate, stating that in his opinion, the penalty should have stood.

Arteta, who was visibly frustrated on the touchline, said: “I was getting animated because it was taking so long.

“I asked Anthony 'why it was taking so long'. It was nothing to do with the process, it was just that the screen wasn't working.

“It probably wasn't a penalty so they made the right decision in the end, and I was just animated because of the process.”

Mikel Arteta's frustration stemmed from Viktor Gyokeres's ongoing goal drought, which extended to seven consecutive games. The Swedish striker, signed from Sporting Lisbon over the summer, has yet to replicate his prolific form in the Premier League. Despite his impressive record in Portugal, Gyokeres is still searching for his first goal in the Premier League this season.

Arteta's men secured a 1-0 win over Fulham, thanks to Leandro Trossard's decisive goal, but Gyokeres's failure to score will likely be a concern for the Arsenal manager. With 18 shot attempts in the Premier League this season, Gyokeres is one of Arsenal's most potent attacking threats, but his conversion rate has been disappointing.

Gyokeres's work off the ball has been a significant asset for Arsenal, allowing the team to exploit spaces and create scoring opportunities. Bukayo Saka praised Gyokeres's selfless play, saying, “He's a big part of the reason why we're winning these games.” However, the striker's goal drought continues to raise questions about his form.

“He was very close again today. We were all begging for him to score,” Arteta said.

“The work rate he puts in for the team is phenomenal. We try to give him support and the love, and it will come.”

Our 10th different goalscorer of the Premier League season 😮 pic.twitter.com/ubg0q1WazP

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 19, 2025