Arteta demands Arsenal show resilience to extend perfect start

Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal to maintain their perfect start to the season by earning victory against Brighton at the American Express Stadium on Saturday.

Arsenal have won all seven of their matches in all competitions, but Arteta expects another demanding test and wants his players focused on producing a winning performance rather than protecting their record.

“We’ve got a really tough opponent tomorrow, so we’re going to have to really earn the right to win the game,” he said. “Certainly that will be the mindset of the players and the team.”

Arteta gave a positive update on his squad’s fitness, with Ben White expected to train before the match. Jurrien Timber, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie also remain hopeful of being involved.

“Ben is all good,” Arteta said. “We have another training session this afternoon, so very positive about everybody.”

On the other players, he added: “They are all willing to be part of it, and we have another session to try to make sure they are fit.”

Raya’s progress praised

David Raya began his senior career in the National League but has since established himself as one of the world’s leading goalkeepers. Arteta believes the Spaniard’s mentality has been central to that rise.

“Obviously he has tremendous quality, but he has overcome a lot of difficulties, a lot of challenges, to reach to this point,” Arteta said.

He also praised Raya’s work with Arsenal’s coaching staff and team-mates, saying the goalkeeper had “earned the right to be one of the best now”.

Arteta rejected the need to rank Raya among his best signings, saying: “He’s been a tremendous signing, there’s no question about that. He’s helped take the team and the club to a different level, and now we need to maintain that level.”

Gyokeres and Dowman

Viktor Gyokeres has not yet played a significant number of Premier League minutes, but Arteta dismissed suggestions the striker lacks confidence. He pointed to the forward’s performance against Napoli last week as evidence of his progress.

“He hasn’t played that many minutes, but last week in Napoli he played and had a good game,” he said.

Arteta said goals, regular opportunities and support would help Gyokeres settle, while the player and his new team continued adapting to one another. “We need to give him all the support and confidence that he needs,” he said.

Teenager Max Dowman, meanwhile, has impressed when used by the first team. Arteta said the best way for him to secure more starts was to perform consistently in matches and training.

“What Max did the other day amongst all the players as well that haven’t played that many minutes, it was really impressive,” he said. Working alongside Arsenal’s senior players, he added, would raise Dowman’s standards and accelerate his development.

Eze comfortable on the left

Arteta explained that Eberechi Eze has been used on the left wing because that is where the England international has produced many of the best moments of his career.

“That’s where all his biggest moments in his career and the highlights of his career have come and I think it’s a place that he feels very, very, very comfortable,” he said.

The choice between Eze and Christos Tzolis will depend on form, the opposition and how the players combine with one another.