Mikel Arteta speaks on Chelsea win over Manchester United
Mikel Arteta ‘stayed up late’ to watch the ‘fantastic’ conclusion of Chelsea’s remarkable Premier League victory over Manchester United.
Two injury-time goals from Cole Palmer saw Chelsea complete the latest ever comeback in a Premier League fixture and leave United crushed.
Palmer’s first-half penalty put Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge after Conor Gallagher’s early opener, but United came roaring back to lead through Alejandro Garnacho’s brace and a Bruno Fernandes header.
Manchester United were seeing the game out comfortably enough until Palmer equalised with a 100th-minute penalty and then scored a sensational winner just 82 seconds later.
The late goals sparked wild scenes at Stamford Bridge, with under pressure manager Mauricio Pochettino running down the touchline in celebration and several United players falling to their knees in disbelief.
Arsenal’s title rivals Liverpool were also in action last night against Sheffield United and Arteta was keeping a close eye on both games.
‘I was watching a bit of both to be fair and I stayed up until late because the Manchester United and Chelsea one, it was worth it and it was fantastic,’ the Gunners boss said.
‘It’s unbelievable the league that we are involved in. It’s just a joy that the level and the quality of the players and the show that they put in. It’s just fantastic.’
Arteta’s side played their midweek fixture on Wednesday, beating relegation-battlers Luton Town 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
Chelsea have little to play for in the Premier League but the United win should give a struggling Blues squad inspiration for the rest of the season.
For United, the devastating defeat represents a major blow to their top-four chances, with time running out to make up ground on Aston Villa and Tottenham.
Speaking after the Stamford Bridge special, Pochettino said: ‘It was amazing. We were the better team today and it was fair we scored in the the last minute.
‘We started really well, 2-0 (up), the game was under control, then we made a mistake and suffered an emotional impact. It wasn’t easy to deal with. In the second half we controlled the game (but) conceded in transitions.
‘It was important to finish like that, creating the connection between our fans and players. It’s a very good thing that happened today. It should be a turning point for the fans’ trust in the team.’
