RU-DE AWAKENING

LONDON. — Arsenal’s set piece-inspired victory over Manchester United on Wednesday showed the Gunners’ ability to score goals in different ways and their sheer will to win after a difficult spell, boss Mikel Arteta said.

Jurrien Timber and William Saliba both scored from corners in a 2-0 win, which was Arsenal’s fourth on the bounce in all competitions, following a draw and back-to-back defeats before the international break.

Even with first-choice centre back Gabriel out injured, Arsenal still posed a constant threat from corners and could have scored more than the two goals they managed from a succession of dangerous set pieces.

Arteta, who briefly chuckled after being asked yet another question about their proficiency from dead balls, said this element of Arsenal’s game was about being a more complete team.

“We want to be very dangerous and very effective from every angle and every phase of play and we work on all of that,” he told reporters.

“Today we could have scored from open play like we did against West Ham, against Sporting, so the team really has that belief that from every angle we have the mentality to (cause) threat to the opponent and to try to score.”

Arsenal’s victory also came as leaders Liverpool dropped two points in a draw at Newcastle United, meaning Arsenal cut the gap to seven points to the top.

Arteta insisted he did not allow the changing score in Liverpool’s match to affect his approach to Arsenal’s game, but said his team’s response to setbacks earlier in the season showed a positive mentality.

“The will to win is there,” he said. “We tried our best to do that. It’s true that we went through a lot in that period, (with) the schedule and the position that we played. A lot of things and you have to react.

“It’s about trying to do it next. Today, now we’ve won four in a row — it doesn’t matter, we have to go to Fulham and be better than them.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca enjoyed the sound of the travelling supporters chanting his name as his side romped to a 5-1 Premier League win at Southampton on Wednesday.

Maresca’s side were 4-1 up late in the game, when the away section sang his name as they celebrated Chelsea’s impressive victory which moved them to second in the standings and the manager applauded the chants which made them even louder.

“It was a very good feeling. You can see they are happy, that is our target, we work every day to keep them happy,” Maresca told a press conference.

“Tonight was a very good feeling. They can see Chelsea is back and this is an important thing.”

Maresca took over a Chelsea side who finished sixth last season under Mauricio Pochettino, and their impressive form has put them nine points ahead of where they were at this stage of the previous campaign.

Chelsea are also excelling in Europe, top of the Conference League standings with four wins from four, and they are now unbeaten in five league games.

“I think it’s a good feeling, not only for the owners but for the players, club and the fans. A good feeling for all of us,” Maresca said. — SuperSport.