'We shut some mouth' - Bellerin believes derby win silenced Arsenal critics

Hector Bellerin believes Arsenal “shut some mouth” and answered their critics with a 2-0 derby win over Tottenham.

A supposed power shift in north London was discussed in great length prior to the latest meeting between two old adversaries at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal 11/8 for top four finish

With Spurs having forced their way into title contention over recent years, while the Gunners slipped out of the Premier League’s top four last season, Arsene Wenger’s side have faced plenty of uncomfortable questions.

They were, however, to offer the perfect response in their latest outing, with Shkodran Mustafi and Alexis Sanchez earning Arsenal a morale-boosting victory which now has them just one point adrift of their neighbours in the English top-flight table.

Bellerin told the club’s official website on the importance of that result: “There’s always a lot of talk but I think it was one of those games where we showed what we could do. We shut some mouth as well.

“There are people who talk a lot and now, after watching that game at home, they’ll be thinking that these guys have a chance.”

The challenge for Arsenal is to build on their derby triumph and to establish momentum heading into the hectic festive period.

“That’s what we’re trying to do,” Bellerin added on the need to find greater consistency.

"Sometimes, for different reasons, we haven’t been able to do it, but this is how we set the bar and show what potential we have.

“That’s what we’ve got to work hard to do every single week, week in, week out.”

If the Gunners are to force their way back into the title picture, or at least the battle for a top-four finish, then they will need key men to perform at the peak of their powers.

Mesut Ozil was back to his best against Spurs on Saturday, with the World Cup winner pulling the strings in a playmaking post to join those offering their detractors a timely reminder of their talent.

Bellerin said of the Germany international: “Mesut is someone who gets a lot of criticism, but the players who are around him are very happy to have him and play with him. He makes things very easy for us.”

Arsenal are back in action on Thursday when they take on Koln in the Europa League, with their next Premier League outing taking them to Burnley.