Published: 3 October, 2013
by TOM FOOT

THE “love is back at Emirates” according to Mikel Arteta, who revealed how the signing of Mesut Özil has steadied the nerves in the Arsenal camp.
Arteta said the Gunners had fired out a “great message” by capturing the £43million man from Real Madrid over the summer.

“Everyone was expecting a top player, probably a striker, and maybe not a Number 10,” said the Spanish midfielder. “When you have a player capable of finishing the way he did against Napoli, it makes a difference. It lifted everyone – people are excited again to come and watch us. You can see how excited the people are and you feel that on the pitch. You feel positiveness, instead of being nervy every time you lose the ball.”

Preparing for Sunday’s trip to face Man United-toppling West Brom, Arteta said that the additions of Özil and free-signing Mathieu Flamini have brought a new confidence to the Emirates.

The Gunners 2-0 victory over Napoli on Tuesday in the Champions League was their 10th win on the spin, leading to some sections of fans and the media to draw comparisons between the current side and the Arsenal “Invincibles” team of 2003-04.

Arteta, however, is refusing to get carried away. “I don’t think we are at that level yet,” he added. “This Premier League is the toughest league to win and we haven’t really done anything yet.

“I’m really pleased that the team is playing well and looking organised. We are looking good and solid.

“We have a massive day on Sunday and we need to concentrate on that.”