Mikel Arteta applauded David Raya’s display in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea, declaring his “heart nearly ceased beating” before the shot-stopper executed a vital injury-time stop to preserve the Gunners’ leading status in the Premier League championship pursuit.
Jurriën Timber’s header in the second period, originating from a Declan Rice corner, following a Piero Hincapié own-goal that had nullified William Saliba’s first-half initial goal, appeared poised to secure a pivotal triumph for Arsenal and re-establish their five-point advantage over runner-up Manchester City.
However, Chelsea, playing with ten men after Pedro Neto was shown the team’s seventh dismissal in the Premier League this season at the 70-minute mark, menaced to claim a single point when Alejandro Garnacho’s subsequent attempt sailed towards the net.
Nevertheless, Raya, the Spanish international, executed a magnificent full-extension block to thwart the ex-Manchester United wide player and guarantee Arsenal secured the maximum three points.
“David is unquestionably one of our leaders,” Arteta stated. “He is a custodian who understands how to sustain his concentration and influence the outcome of a game precisely when needed.
“At times he remains largely uninvolved, and then abruptly he must intervene; the stop he executed in the final moment — it was an incredible strike and my heart felt like it seized, yet he repelled it once more.
“It was a splendid stop, but we ought not to have found ourselves in that predicament. I endeavor to remain composed, but we were not achieving the control we desired against a side reduced to ten.
“Each team faces challenges and the differences are so narrow, but that’s positive. By March, we are contending in every tournament and we are positioned favorably.”
After squandering a two-goal advantage to achieve a 2-2 stalemate against last-placed Wolves ten days prior — an outcome that provided City a significant championship impetus — Arsenal have recovered to secure victories in London derbies against Tottenham and Chelsea.
And Arteta stated his squad’s response served as evidence of their capability to excel at the highest tier.
“The way we have responded to that disheartening outcome has been exemplary,” Arteta remarked. “I believed we were good, decent individuals with a desire to win, but the standard they’ve reached now is distinct.
“The perception that one must consistently triumph repeatedly; you secure numerous matches, but it is insufficient to create a significant lead.
“This embodies the allure and the standard of this competition.”
Arsenal are scheduled to play Brighton on their home turf this Wednesday, and Arteta mentioned that midfielder Declan Rice will undergo a fitness assessment after having requested to be taken off against Chelsea.
“Declan requested to be replaced, so he requires examination before Wednesday,” Arteta stated. “He was experiencing a degree of unease.”