Arteta: 'Gut feeling' led to Nwaneri's debut; Brentford beat 'built character' last season

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal's defeat at Brentford last season built character within the squad to show what they did at the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday.

The Gunners won comfortably 3-0 in west London thanks to goals from William Saliba, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira.

Arsenal pass another test in style - this Gunners side are like no other

Arteta heaped praise on Saliba - who spent last season on loan at Marseille - after the win.

"He was superb," ​​the Spaniard told Sky Sports.

"He hasn't trained for ten days. He was feeling a bit unwell. He's only had one practice session and he's coming and competing like he does.

"The ugly part of the game, mostly that people won't recognize too much. For that, it deserves some credit."

Another player Arteta liked was Granit Xhaka, who has been superb all year.

The Swiss midfielder set up Jesus for the game's second goal with a delightful cross.

"He [Xhaka] has that character, that respect and admiration," Arteta said.

"He's had some tough days that make him a better person and a better player."

Arsenal were beaten by Brentford on the opening matchday of the 2021/22 season as the Bees celebrated their Premier League opener with a 2-0 win.

Last August's result was talked about extensively before and during Sunday's fight, and Arteta called the loss a "character-building day".

“The natural thing to do to describe what happened last year as a really bad day,” he said. "The way I describe it is like a day of character building and it's very different.

"The team has to grow and make the journey together and have to go through these times. They have to react and can't give up and question everyone or blame others. Or they can look in the mirror, follow lesson and move on.

"Today you saw a very different team."

Arteta also praised Brentford - whose head coach Thomas Frank believes the Gunners can compete for the Premier League title this season.

"Difficult," he added. "They don't need much to drag you into a rollercoaster of tough action where you're constantly under pressure.

"They have a wonderful following, they're really good at what they do. But we managed to get the game to where we wanted it to be. Kudos to the boys for doing that.

“At different times, we always stick together. We had 12 first-team players in training yesterday, but I don't want to use excuses. children."

With his side 3-0 late in the game, Arteta debuted 15-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, who became the youngest player in Premier League history on entering.

When deciding to sign him, the Spanish coach said: "It was pure intuition. I met the boy (and) I really liked what I saw.

"Per Mertesacker and the academy staff give me very good information, Edu also. I met him, he trained several times with us.

"Yesterday he was supposed to come because we have injuries, especially Martin's (Odegaard), and then I had this feeling yesterday that if the opportunity could arise, I was going to do it and I just did.

"It's great. He deserves it. He did a great job. It's such a great talent that we want to keep with us."

Another Arsenal debutant was Fabio Vieira, who joined the club from FC Porto for a fee of around £34m during the summer transfer window.

He marked his Premier League debut with the goal of the day and Arteta believes his performance in a tough game 'shows his character and quality'.

"I think he has a good progression," Arteta said.

"He missed the whole pre-season due to injury and it was bad luck but we know his talent.

"We know why we signed him and what he can bring to the team, but to do it against Brentford on this ground on his Premier League debut is another story and he is showing his character again and its quality."< /p>

Xhaka also told Sky Sports that the Gunners "have a different mentality this season" with his team leading the table with 18 points from a possible 21.

"We have a different mentality this season," said the captain of the day. "We kept going and training like we were playing and having class with the players who can make a difference.

"You have the class ahead and they make the difference. More than happy we are on the right track, but there is still a lot to do."

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