Following the 2-1 win over Leeds, Mikel Arteta soon answered questions from the journalists.
– On his emotions after the match:
“We knew it was going to be very difficult. We had been without 16 players for three weeks, and on top of that, we came into this game following a painful defeat. All of that was weighing on our minds. Today, we had two objectives. Firstly, to embrace the challenge, because we were playing against a team that had not yet lost in the Premier League and were deservedly sitting high in the table, as I said in my pre-match press conference.
“Secondly, we needed to prove ourselves. What happened against Brighton really hurt us, particularly the way we responded to a difficult situation. Today, we started brilliantly and dominated completely, but we failed to exploit the spaces, the situations and the opportunities to make overlapping runs in order to attack the ball and the penalty area much more effectively. As a result, the game remained open, and we knew our opponents did not need much: every time they got the ball into the box, they posed a threat.
“They are incredibly dangerous. We found ourselves in a situation where we were trailing at home after that defeat to Brighton, and we were also playing at 12:30. It was not a pleasant combination. But we got ourselves out of it by reigniting our desire to win, our determination to respond and the character and courage that define this team. Once we equalised, the energy changed. The players who came on made a huge impact and helped us win again.
“That is what we are made of. We understand that this is what it will be like every week. Over the last two weeks, I have watched a lot of matches to get a better understanding of what is happening in the league, and I can tell you that things will continue in much the same way.”
– On Bruno’s performance:
“I think all the players who were left on the bench today expected to start because they had performed so well for their national teams. And we, or rather I, have to take that into account when selecting the team. But there is another side to it: Bruno travelled to Australia and then India. He is not yet at his best because he did not have a proper pre-season. So we decided it would be better to bring him on when he could influence the game, alongside players who have already settled in here better. We play again on Tuesday evening and then on Sunday, so we understand how demanding the schedule will be for all the players. We have to manage their workload properly.”
– On Noni Madueke’s performance:
“I am very pleased with him because he earned his opportunity and took it with both hands. When I was not particularly happy with what he was doing on the pitch and how it was affecting the team, I made certain decisions, and he accepted them. Instead of letting his head drop, he raised his level. He has been the best player in training over the last ten days. He gave me absolutely no reason not to include him in the team and not to play him today. And you saw for yourselves: every time he got close to the penalty area, he looked dangerous.”
– On the mentality required to come from behind during a match:
“That is how it has to be every time we put this shirt on. The last time we took to the pitch in our colours, something was missing, and we have to be fully aware of that. There is a very fine line between an exceptional performance that makes you champions and a very poor display like the defeat we suffered.
“If you do not want to win more than your opponent, if you cannot deal emotionally with certain situations, you are going to suffer. We all suffered and got absolutely no enjoyment from that game. But then you have to learn the lesson, and we did. We talked about it, and you could feel that the players had really taken it to heart. It was weighing on their minds.”
– On Bruno’s ability to adapt quickly to the game:
“He has already shown that twice, against Sunderland and Leeds. Those are exactly the qualities you need at this level to keep winning.”
– On Viktor Gyökeres’ playing time:
“He will play and get his minutes. The best way to prove yourself is to get out on the pitch and show how good you are. That is all there is to it. The players demonstrated that with their national teams. Mikel [Merino] scored twice for his country, and you can feel from his performances that he also deserves a place in the team. But Martin [Ødegaard] has been playing brilliantly, and that is the situation we are in right now. The best way to change it is to take your opportunity and prove yourself on the pitch. Then everyone will be happy.”
– On the importance of signing Bruno:
“Every week, in every match, every minute and every single situation, you have to meet this standard. Bruno did not meet it against Brighton, but today he played much better. And he is capable of improving even further on what he has already shown in his matches. That is exactly what we have to demand.
“I demand it of myself, and I will demand the same from the players. If we stick to that approach, we will raise our standards and become a stronger team.”
– On whether Declan Rice’s role in midfield has changed:
“I went up to him and told him – and this was a private conversation between us – that he is no longer the only key player; he has to become something else. At the end of the season, I will be able to tell you what role and position I see for him. He has to become someone different and prove it on the pitch.”
– On how he dealt with the defeat to Brighton during the extended international break:
“The first few days were not easy. Mainly because you start asking yourself questions: what did you do wrong in that match, what did you miss, how could you possibly have allowed that to happen? It was painful for me to watch what was happening on the pitch. Then I tried to learn from it. Otherwise, you start looking for someone to blame and completely lose sight of what actually happened. The first thing you have to ask yourself is: what could I have done better? What were we missing? There were many factors. It was already our fourth away game during an incredibly demanding schedule. Sometimes, on a particular day, your opponent can simply be better than you. Brighton were better than us that day, especially in two key areas of the game. That is all there is to it. I am sure of that. You have to accept what happened, draw certain conclusions and try to become better.”
– On his new contract:
“It has been a special week,” he said with a smile. “I have felt an enormous amount of respect and love, and the best way to respond to that is by winning football matches. Preparing for this game was not easy: the defeat to Brighton was still hurting, and we had spent three weeks without our players. Sixteen players had travelled all over the world, and we essentially had just one day to prepare for a very important match.
“I think we started very well, but we failed to make the most of our advantage in the right areas and did not take the chances where we should have been creating much greater threats and turning our attacks into genuinely dangerous shots. As a result, the game remained open. Leeds are a physically powerful, direct team who press with tremendous intensity. Every time they got the ball into our penalty area, there was danger.
“We conceded, and then the question was: what are we made of? We came into the match after a defeat, so I gave the players a bit of a shake-up, reminding them what it means to wear this shirt and how they have to respond in difficult moments. The response was incredible, first from the players and then from the supporters. Together, we created that energy, that belief and that confidence that we would turn the game around. The players who came on also had a huge impact on the result.
“That is exactly the kind of response we need after a heavy defeat, when you have taken an emotional blow. Whatever the circumstances of the match, you have to find a way to win.”
– On Bruno scoring as a substitute and his celebration:
“Considering everything that has happened, as well as the fact that he travelled to Australia and India, he effectively had no pre-season. We play every three days, and I fully understand that we have to get him into the right rhythm carefully. But the player himself also needs to have the right mentality and humility to tell himself: ‘Okay, I have not been selected to start today, but when I come on, I will change the course of the game.’ It was great to see that with my own eyes because he really did turn the match around.”
Source: arsenal.com
Author: MissingHenry
