Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has highlighted a ‘big message’ from legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers of all time, winning 38 major trophies during his spell at United from 1986 to 2013.
The Red Devils clinched 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and two UEFA Champions League titles under the management of Ferguson.
Ahead of Arsenal’s clash against Crystal Palace on Saturday, Arteta was asked to share his thoughts on a famous quote from the Scotsman.
Ferguson claimed that attackers can win you matches – but it is the defenders who end up winning major trophies for their respective teams.
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Arsenal have the best defensive record in the league this season, incredibly conceding just three goals across their opening eight top-flight games.
‘When you look at his titles and who’s speaking, you have to really put that big message in your office,’ Arteta said about Ferguson’s quote.
‘He’s right. We defend to attack better. [But] that’s the intention, not to concede. We have that mindset.’
Ironically, though, Arsenal could be without one of their best defenders for the game against Palace this weekend.
Gabriel Magalhaes has emerged as an injury doubt for the match, meaning Arteta may be forced to start Cristhian Mosquera next to William Saliba.
‘Big Gabi had to leave the pitch [against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday] with an issue,’ Arteta revealed on Friday.
‘He hasn’t been able to train yet, so let’s see how he evolves in the next 24 hours to see whether he’s available or not for the weekend.’
Quizzed about conceding just three goals, and if there’s a motivation to break Chelsea’s record, Arteta added: ‘We want these kinds of records; we have been getting a lot of them.
‘At the end, we want it to bring the silverware and the trophies. But obviously, the more we can produce, I think the closer we are going to be to achieving what we want to do.
‘[The] defensive record is very good, but we need to be consistent; it’s only just the start of the season.
‘The aim is to continue improving things, which we can still do a lot of, to do even better.’
Arsenal are aiming to win their first Premier League title since 2004 this term.
The Gunners have finished as top-flight runners-up for the last three seasons in a row.