Michael Carrick has admitted he was buoyed by Matheus Cunha's response to starting on the bench last weekend and enthused by the overall reaction from those who did not get on the pitch against Manchester City.
Our summer signing from Wolverhampton Wanderers was outstanding when coming on for opening goalscorer Bryan Mbeumo in the 71st minute of our 2-0 derby win.
Not only did he do superbly to run and cross from the right for Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu's clincher but he would have notched another assist, had Mason Mount's effort been allowed to stand late on.
The attitude shown throughout the squad, and togetherness for the common cause, is something Carrick has spoken to the group about and he told club media, in our exclusive pre-Arsenal interview, why he believes this is vitally important throughout the remainder of the campaign.
“It's big,”
Carrick replied, when asked about Cunha's professionalism in making such an impact off the bench. “It's big. I think the disappointment, obviously, for all the boys who didn't start the game.
”You know, coming on and making a difference and feeling it. Whether that's actually making a difference, and that's something we spoke about this week, making a difference on the pitch or from the sidelines, or from the changing room. I've seen the boys supporting in the Directors' Box and celebrating the goal.
“For me to see that attachment, the connection from everybody, is huge, moving forward.
“Matheus, you know, made a big impact when he came on,”
added Carrick.
“The goal, obviously, but in terms of how he went about the game. I was delighted with him.
”Again, it's something, moving forward, for everyone to feed off and that goes a long way.“
Cunha is an option to start from the outset against the Gunners, in the 16:30 GMT kick-off on Sunday.