Mikel Arteta declared that Arsenal drew key lessons from their recent defeat against Brighton, which paved the way for a determined 2-1 win over Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium this past Saturday.
In the post-match press conference, the Gunners' boss emphasised the critical importance of mentality and psychological resilience, warning about the fine line between exceptional and mediocre football.
Last time we stepped onto the pitch wearing this club's colours, we were lacking something, Arteta reflected.
The Spanish manager went on to add:
There is a very thin line between being exceptional and being average, as we saw in that match.
Arteta highlighted that the players had a frank discussion about their failure, acknowledging the need for change and stressing that they must desire victory more than their opponents.
Arsenal showcased their character after falling behind to a goal from James Justin. Riccardo Calafiori equalised, before the game was clinched by substitute Bruno Guimaraes, who secured the win for the home side.
