Mikel Arteta praised the attitude and application of Kieran Tierney after the Scotland international scored a beauty of a goal to help Arsenal to a 4-0 win against West Bromwich Albion.
The left-back curled home the Gunners’ opener at the Hawthorns and was an ongoing attacking menace on a night when in-form duo Bukayo Saka and Alex Lacazette again got on the scoresheet.
Here’s what the boss had to say when he faced theBT Sportcameras…
On a pleasing win…
It was a very convincing win. To win the last three games over the Christmas period in the Premier League is not easy. In phases, when the weather and the conditions were better, we played some great football. At the end, we had to manage, in certain moments, the conditions and the way we had to play because the pitch was really difficult.
On the goals…
I think the first two goals [were great], the first action with Keiron was terrific and the second, the combination play between a few players, was fantastic as well. And the clean sheet, it’s two in a row now and that gives us a platform to win the games. We look more creatives and more of a threat in the final third. Our attacking play was much better today.
On Tierney being one of the first names on the teamsheet…
Absolutely, he’s been fantastic since I’ve been here. The moment he got back from his shoulder injury, he’s been terrific. He’s a lad that gives you everything. He’s improving, he’s willing to do better and better. He brings a great energy and quality to the team.
On winning three games in a row…
I’m so happy we were able to achieve the target that we had [over the festive period] because the table looks completely different, the energy around the place is much better. Wins bring a lot of confidence and you can see that today in the performance and the way the team played.
On starting the defence of the FA Cup…
It’s great. We’ve got a week now to prepare for a different competition. We have great memories from last season and the way we won the cup. Let’s enjoy tonight, enjoy the victory and go back home, if the weather allows, and be ready for the next one.
