Calum Chambers has revealed the message that the Arsenal players told each other ahead of facing Everton to secure only their second clean sheet of the season in the Premier League.
The Englishman partnered David Luiz at centre-back at Goodison Park with Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Bukayo Saka at right-back and left-back, respectively.
Lucas Torreira was also on hand to help protect the back four alongside Granit Xhaka as Bernd Leno had a rare day where he did not concede a goal between the sticks for the Gunners.
Arsenal's new head coach Mikel Arteta watched on from the stands as his players set about stopping Everton to secure a 0-0 draw, and while the game may have lacked quality it did at least give the defence something to build on.
Chambers credited the clean sheet to efforts across the team but also explained how interim boss Freddie Ljungberg and his players identified the problems they would face on Merseyside.
Their attitude over how to deal with Duncan Ferguson's side will cheer supporters, many of whom have been critical over the the individuals at the back for the Gunners this season.
"We knew it was going to be tough," he told BT Sport. "We knew they were going to want to fight, some long balls, and we had to be put for that challenge.
"The message we were telling each other before the game was be ready for the challenge, win our 50-50 duels and earn it today, and I think we did that."
Arsenal will have to continue to work hard to stop opponents from exposing their defence with Arteta expected to demand more intensity from the team.
The Spaniard's three-year apprenticeship working under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City has led to a belief that he will try and bring the blueprint behind their two Premier League titles to the Emirates Stadium as he sets to work on rebuilding his team.
For Chambers, the draw with Everton is a reward for their focus on staying solid against the Toffees and hopefully the start of a new attitude in defence.
"This is important for us and it's something we've been working hard on," he said. "I was pleased to get a clean sheet today."
