What happened in Arsenal's dressing room after Tottenham win reveals secret to success
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Something special happened in the Arsenal dressing room after the North London derby. The club put out a video on social media of all the players coming back down the tunnel after their thumping 4-1 win over Tottenham.
It was all about hat trick hero Eberechi Eze. Piero Hincapie was brilliant and faultless as he came in for Gabriel. Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard were outstanding.
Bukayo Saka danced and jigged to the music after the game. There were truly rousing scenes. And, brilliantly, it was not just about them. The likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Odegaard were waiting in the dressing room. The injured players wanted to join in.
You can be sure Gabriel was the same, too. Once he’d stepped off the pitch - wearing Arsenal scarf and all - as he joined in the celebrations.
All of the players missing - and there were quite a few - were keen to join in the celebrations. Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are really popular and great squad members.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is always talking about the squad, the togetherness and he talked about the scenes and celebrations in the dressing room and what it meant to the players.
Listen, rival fans will say that’s perfectly normal. And it’s only what you expect. But this is football. You get egos, you get players fed-up and those who don’t want to celebrate if they have not played. You would be surprised.
Some players are terrible when they are injured. They don’t buy into it at all. Jesus is a great example. Hungry, can’t wait to get back and is such a great influence.
Gyokeres is so driven. His mentality is exceptional. Odegaard is such a strong leader and a hugely popular captain. You don’t have to be outwardly showing signs of being a gladiator or something.
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Arteta loves Odegaard because he sets the tempo and leads the press. If you watch and know football then that is being a lion-hearted leader these days.
Mikel Merino had a funny game. Struggled at first trying to play with his back to goal. He dropped deeper, played with the goal in front of him and then was excellent. That is another tribute to a player who is such a good squad member.
There is a togetherness in this group that comes from winning. But actually, it’s more than that. Arteta and Arsenal have specifically targeted characters. They want players and people who buy into dressing room unity.
I can’t believe there was a doubt on Hincapie. This is a serious player. Enjoyed success at Bayer Leverkusen and Ecuador are gaining that reputation of being World Cup dark horses. They have got some brilliant players.
Arsenal signed a player who arrived knowing that he might have to play second fiddle to Gabriel for a bit. But they clearly did their groundwork as he has bided his time - and will now grasp his opportunity. Did not put a foot wrong.
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This is all about squad building. It is the reason why Arteta believes Arsenal can win the title this season.
They are in it together. Arsenal have got some hard games coming up. They will have to rest and rotate. It’s Bayern Munich on Wednesday. Chelsea on Sunday.
Then the following week is Brentford on the Wednesday night followed by Aston Villa away on the Saturday lunchtime. That is downright criminal.
But after football authorities switched Crystal Palace ’s Carabao Cup tie to ease their fixtures, presumably the Premier League will step in at some point. Anybody?
That is when the squad comes into play - and all of the big guns will be coming back over the next few weeks and games.