By Ihechi Eyinnaya
Arsenal returned to winning ways on Boxing Day overcoming their sloppy start to the season to win London Rivals Chelsea 3-1.
The much-maligned Alex Lacazette and Granit Xhaka sent Arsenal on their way before half-time, before Bukayo Saka’s cross-cum-shot sealed the points in the second period.
Tammy Abraham pulled a goal back before Jorginho’s penalty was saved by Bernd Leno but the late fightback was all the Blues managed to muster at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta had come under increasing pressure with the Gunners languishing in 15th in the Premier League table.
They also crashed out of the EFL Cup with a 4-1 quarter-final defeat at home to Manchester City on Wednesday (AEDT).
Arsenal are without a win in seven top-flight matches, picking up just two points since beating Manchester United at Old Trafford on November 2.
Arteta hada London derby victory over Frank Lampard’s side would be the perfect remedy ahead of trips to fellow strugglers Brighton and Hove Albion and West Brom.
The Arsenal manager said: “At the moment, to keep the team together, to keep the team alive and to be a team, not a group of players, it takes a lot of energy because when you are losing football matches you have to lift them up, to get them together.
“You have to get them all being positive to each other, to not blame each other or any external factor when things are not going well.