Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has praised Arsenal fans for the backing of William Saliba, after his own goal in Arsenal’s 4-2 win of Leicester.
The Arsenal manager described the reaction of the fans as “something I’ve never seen in football”, after Arsenal fans continued to chant Saliba’s name, despite scoring an own goal to make it 2-1.
Arsenal defeated Leicester convincingly, winning 4-2 and making it two wins from two to begin the Premier League campaign.
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However, the game seemed to take a turn for the worse, after Saliba nodded a ball passed Ramsdale into his own net, to make it 2-1.
Despite the mistake, Arsenal fans were heard around the Emirates cheering, picking up both the team and Saliba, giving them the confidence to pick themselves up and go again.
When crowds of the past may have got on their backs and only made things worse.
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Arsenal responded in the best way possible, going straight down the other end and making it 3-1 just two minutes later, thanks to a Granit Xhaka tap in from close range.
When speaking to the media after the game, Mikel Arteta made sure to speak on the importance of the fans reaction.
Arteta said:
“I think the crowd was special, especially after Saliba’s own goal.
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“The way they reacted was something I’ve never seen in football; the amount of support and connection they are showing with us, and especially with William, lifted the team straight away.
"I have to thank them so much for that.”
Arsenal director Edu also praised the fans on Instagram, writing:
“What a great atmosphere today !!! But I have to say how BEAUTIFUL was the support for William Saliba !!!”
Saliba went onto have another top-quality performance for Arsenal, winning challenges and duels all over the pitch, and once again proved his excellence once again in Arsenal shirt.
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The Gunners went onto concede one more to James Maddison, but yet again fired straight back to make it 4-2 thanks to a left footed strike from Gabriel Martinelli to put the game to bed.
Two first half goals from Gabriel Jesus gave Arsenal a commanding lead before the second half antics, and Arsenal fans left the first home game of the season more than happy.
Arsenal travel to newly promoted Bournemouth next Saturday, and they will be hoping the perfect start to the season continues.
Topics: Arsenal, William Saliba, Mikel Arteta, Gabriel Jesus, Leicester City, Premier League
Alex Merson