Highlights: Arsenal steal the show late on to win big against Wolves
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The Gunners last won a trophy in 2020, beating Chelsea in the FA Cup final in Mikel Arteta’s first season at the club, but it ended behind closed doors due to the coronavirus outbreak.
This is the 14th time Arsenal have lifted the famous trophy in their history, but over the past five years Arteta has gradually built a team capable of competing for Premier League honors again.
The Gunners are two points behind second-placed Manchester City after 17 games and Saliba believes ending the club’s 22-year wait for the English title need not be the pinnacle of Arsenal’s ambitions this season.
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‘He’s unbelievable’ – Arteta backs Jesus as striker returns from injury
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“We have been close in the Premier League for the past three seasons and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and Carabao Cup last season, so we know we can win in any competition.
“But we have to show it on the pitch and start winning trophies now.
“We are in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, so we have three games left and we have to get the job done in January against Chelsea. We have to keep going because it’s an important game, an important derby. We know we’re close and we have to learn the lessons from last season.”
“At the end of a career, we count trophies, and the Carabao Cup is one of them. And now we are in the semi-finals. Of course, like every competition we play, we want to win this competition as well.”
On Saturday, Arsenal hosted Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium, a game in which Declan Rice was sent off in a 1-1 draw last season.
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‘The margin should have been bigger’ – Arteta admits Arsenal missed chances against Palace
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It was one of 14 games Arteta’s side played in a bid to catch up with eventual champions Liverpool, and served as a reminder that they currently hold a slim advantage over Man City, who have won seven straight games in all competitions.
Arteta strengthened the depth of his squad over the summer and although this season continues to be plagued with injuries, the options available to Arsenal have allowed them to absorb those losses unlike in previous seasons.
“The atmosphere is good, but we know it’s still December and things can happen quickly in football,” Saliba continued.
“We have to stay focused, keep believing in ourselves and keep working because it’s the end that counts, not before we get the trophy.
“The number of games means we are doing a good job so we have to keep going and we hope the injured players can come back in January and help us.”
Meanwhile, forward Gabriel Martinelli said it was a “good feeling” to be top of the Premier League on Christmas.
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Gabriel Martinelli says it ‘feels good’ to be in Arsenal’s current position
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“We play for one of the biggest clubs in the world so we know the responsibility we have when we step on the pitch. But we need to be calm. We know our qualities, we know the players we have and we believe in ourselves.”
“We trust the club and the manager as well, so we have to stay calm and take each game one at a time and try to beat them. We know that just because we have good footballers doesn’t mean we can win the league. We know we have to play our hearts out and say in Portuguese, ‘Put your boots on’.
“That’s what we need to do every time we step on the pitch. We give our all, not just for ourselves, but for the club, the people who work here, our families and each other.”
“We have a session (before the game) where we praise God for everything He has done in our lives. We know how lucky we are and we know that without Him we wouldn’t be here.”
