Kieran Tierney insists that victory against Chelsea is only a start for Arsenal after the Gunners ended their winless run at home.
Arsenal claimed their first home win since a 2-1 success against bottom club Sheffield United back in October as they ended a run of five Premier League matches at the Emirates Stadium without a victory.
The 3-1 success against the Blues was a morale-boosting win for the Gunners to ease the pressure on manager Mikel Arteta, who had faced increasing scrutiny over his position with Arsenal just three points above the relegation zone going into the game.
But now, ahead of games against Brighton & Hove Albion and West Bromwich Albion over the next week, Tierney has spoken of what the victory means for the Gunners with a message for the Arsenal fans.
“It’s a start, isn’t it? We needed that today, we needed to give the fans something to be positive about," he said, speaking to Sky Sports after the game.
“We have had a few bad results this season, so this was a start.
“It is something to build on. It is three points and slowly but surely we want to start climbing up that table. It’s a good start.
“Chelsea are a good team, they are higher up in the table than us. We knew it was going to be tough, so to come out with three points today is important for us.”
Alexandre Lacazette gave the Gunners the lead from the penalty spot after 34 minutes of the game, before Granit Xhaka doubled Arsenal's advantage with a superb free kick just before the break.
Bukayo Saka added a third in the second half before Tammy Abraham replied with a goal for Chelsea, but Arsenal were spared a nervy finale as goalkeeper Bernd Leno saved Jorginho's spot kick to help the hosts to victory.
And Tierney was grateful for his team-mate's contribution, as he ensured Arsenal held out for the win without some tense moments in injury time.
“Bernd Leno has dug us out of a hole there, because it would have been a nervy last five minutes," the Scottish international admitted.
"But fair play to him, he is an outstanding goalkeeper."
