‘WINNING UGLY GIVES US NEW CONFIDENCE’

Dan Kilpatrick

- KEEPER RAMSDALE PRAISES ARSENAL’S COLLECTIVE EFFORT AFTER THEY GRIND OUT VICTORY AT LEEDS 

AARON RAMSDALE says Arsenal now know they are capable of “winning ugly”, after yesterday’s 1-0 win at Leeds moved them four points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Bukayo Saka’s goal sealed a scrappy and fortuitous victory at Elland Road, where Arsenal survived a second-half onslaught, with Patrick Bamford missing a penalty and Ramsdale twice saving one-on-ones from the striker.

The result extended the Gunners’ lead at the top of the table after Manchester City lost 1-0 at Liverpool, and Ramsdale says Mikel Arteta’s team can take confidence from the manner of their victory, despite putting in their poorest performance of the campaign.

“It’s the worst we’ve played and collectively we’ve managed to come away with three points and a clean sheet,” said the England keeper (right, celebrating the win) . “We’re a bit shocked at how bad we were on the ball, but collectively, from front to the back, we added another level in terms of defending and grinding out a result.