The Gunners issued an emphatic response to questions about their title credentials by moving five points clear at the top with victory in the north London derby on Sunday (22.02.26) and the coach was pleased with the way his team bounced back after last week's disappointing draw with bottom side Wolves.

Arteta said post-match: "It feels like we showed what we are made of. But then you have to show it again and again and again because if you have to just analyse how you feel after every game, it's a massive rollercoaster and it's not sustainable.

"I cannot be prouder and happier for what I've seen out there, but especially the way we lived the last 72 hours because I think this game in particular needed some context.

"After what happened against Wolves and the manner that we lost two points in the last kick of the game, it was tough. But that's the beauty of this game. There is no explanation watching the game back how the hell we draw that game. From any angle, you watch it back and say, 'It's impossible', and you have to watch it again and say it's not going to happen.

"But it happened, and then you have to lift yourself up because you're feeling angry, upset, [and] ashamed at some point. And we are all different nationalities, we all have different feelings, and then you have to bring everybody together. And it's been a joy to spend that time together with them, to align everybody and to say, 'OK, what is going to be happening in the next chapter?'"

Arsenal now have a rare week off before their next Premier League game and Arteta is pleased to have the chance to pause for breath.

The Spanish coach said: "The amount of games that we are playing in every competition is just incredible and it gives you a chance to actually take a little breath, analyse what we're doing and go again until the international break. We're going to have a lot of games again."