Better team spirit the key to good start

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
18 Aug	7:45 PM	CL	Celtic (A)	2	0	Win

Striker Robin van Persie and goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has put the team's good start to the season down to a better team spirit within the dressing room. Arsenal have won their first two matches of the new season but it wasn't so much the wins but the manner in which those victories were gained (lucky goals or not).

The Gunners brushed aside Everton 6-1 on the opening day of the new season and against Scottish giants Celtic being the first English side in 26 years to win away at their ground.

Whilst some would put this new found determination down to the siege mentality developed from having the media write off the club's title chances, van Persie just says that everyone in the team just want to fight for one another.

The Dutchman said: "The season is still young but we have played two important games. I think we showed in both that we really want to fight for each other and if we can produce that every three or four days, we can make a big step forward. Hopefully then we can have a great season.

"Maybe being written off [in the media] brings the players a little closer together but we will see what happens. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to make the 'enemy' cleverer than they are!

"But if you look at the first two games, we played well. Our targets are as high as last year and if we can stick together and stay together and work hard for each other, we can make it a good season."

Almunia says that the club's good start was also down to the improved relationship between the players, and the commitment from each other to help out in defensive situations.

The Spaniard added: "The things we had to improve were the communication, our positions on the pitch, how to work as a unit and as a team. There were many things to improve.

"All the team is defending well. The midfielders and strikers are defending all together. All the players, we have a better relationship with each other and, if the dressing room works, then, on the pitch, the team works as well.

"It's something that is right. Everybody comes into the dressing room with a better mood. It's crucial to have a good relationship with each other. It's true that this season, at the moment, we don't have any trouble or any problems inside and we appreciate that."

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