"Scored two, clean sheet, job done": Arteta reacts to opening day win over Wolves

By Charlie Stong at the Emirates

"We scored two, clean sheet, job done". That was Mikel Arteta's reaction to his Arsenal side's opening day victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates.

The Gunners have fallen short in the Premier League title race in both the past two seasons, first being overhauled by Pep Guardiola's relentless Manchester City in 2022-23 - then taking them to the final day last season, but agonisingly seeing the Manchester side once again claim the prize.

Asked in pre-season what it would take to definitely win the title, Arteta said, in jest but maybe an element of truth, "114 points for sure" - but yesterday added it would of course be silly to realistically think about such a perfect achievement.

He said: "Well, first of all, they asked me 'what do you need to win the Premier League for sure' and I said '114 points for sure wins it'. 

"But talking about that after the first game doesn't make sense. This is a new story, a beautiful one, hopefully which we have to write from the beginning. 

"Today was the first chapter of that. Let's write some beautiful ones and let's be prepared for the ones which are not so beautiful and to respond to those in the best possible way."

Arsenal saw off Gary O'Neil's side thanks to goals either side of the break from the ever-improving Kai Havertz and the superb Bukayo Saka.

But in between the Gunners were sloppy - Thomas Partey and even the usually impeccable William Saliba guilty of presenting chances to the visitors which, on another day, could have led to goals.

But there were also glimpses of brilliance. Havertz looked more like a centre forward than he maybe ever has for Arsenal, Martin Odegaard showed examples of just how he has become one of the league's most watchable players, and Declan Rice - despite his efforts in the summer - looked like he had never been away.

And then there's Saka - Mr consistency who saved the Gunners again by making one and scoring one.

Arteta said: "We were really good (in the first half), really intense with a lot of purpose to attack, very fast, a lot of threat in the box. We generated a lot - probably we should have scored two or three and the game would have been different.

"In the second half there were moments when we became a bit sloppy and had no control, especially against this team that is particularly difficult, and then the game was a bit more open.

"And then Bukayo had an unbelievable action again to make it 2-0 and then it was a different game."

Asked again whether Arsenal could finally take the next step and win the league this season, Arteta added: "What I see is a willingness. Whether we are going to do it (win the league) or not, we are going to have to show it every day, how we play and the results we are able to take away.

"We have started well in the first game. There's always uncertainty about how you are going to respond (in the first game) against a really difficult opponent. But we scored two, clean sheet, job done."

Havertz was guilty of missing a hatful of chances in his early days with the Gunners, but is looking more like a rounded centre-forward each week. 

And while there is understandable talk that Arsenal still need that elusive 25-goal-a-season man, Arteta was delighted with Havertz's goal - and all-round play yesterday.

He said: "It was a great action. He created the position in the box, the way he attacked the ball, it was superb, a great goal.

"Every player needs time to adapt, to get used to the club, the players, the system, but he has gained the confidence and respect of everybody the way he handles certain situations and the way he is performing."

Saka added the second, calming Emirates jitters, with just a little more than a quarter of an hour to play.

His goal was typical - cutting in from the right and firing the ball past Jose Sa with his left foot. 

Arteta was asked why teams continue to 'allow' Saka to do that, but he responded by saying: “With Messi I know he is going to go here and he puts the ball here but that is the quality of the players."

The Spaniard was also pleased with the performances of his returning Euro stars, although he did take Rice off at the end as he was suffering from cramp.

He said: "Straight after their last game (at the Euros) they said to me 'I am going to be ready for the first game'. They will step up and that is what we need.

"I thought so (I may have to leave them out of the first game). You have to understand what they may need, the space, let them have a break - these kids have been through a lot in the past two or three years. 

“But when you see that energy, that willingness to say 'I am really, really happy to be back' it is a good sign.”