Arteta on Arsenal latest transfer news ahead of tricky Villa trip - full presser
23/08/2024
London Colney training ground, London, UK
23/08/2024
London Colney training ground, London, UK
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00:00Good morning. Can I ask you, first of all, what is the hold-up with a deal for Miquel Movino?
00:08It's very frustrating, it hasn't happened yet.
00:11No, and you know that I cannot talk about any player that is not with us.
00:17There is still time in the market, both ways, for all the managers, for all the teams here,
00:23and you can tell how busy it's getting.
00:25Can we assume it's something that isn't going to happen soon?
00:28I don't assume. The full focus is on the players that we have at the moment,
00:31the big match that we have tomorrow against Aston Villa, and that's what we're at.
00:35I think I'm going to get a similar answer, but I'm going to ask about Eddie and Kattia leaving the club as well,
00:40and there's interest from Nottingham Forest. Do you expect Eddie to go with them?
00:44I expect Eddie to train with us today, to be prepared for tomorrow, and that's it.
00:48And whatever happens, it will happen if he's good for everybody.
00:53Moving on, I assume you've always had belief, but when you look at the squad now,
00:58do you see belief that maybe he wasn't there two years ago?
01:02The surprise Arsenal and the Tigers two years ago, you obviously got a lot closer last season.
01:06When you look at your players now, do you sense that they feel it's their time?
01:11I always had a feeling and belief in our players that we have to trust them, I have to trust them.
01:16That's the only way to get the best out of your team, out of your individuals,
01:20and we always have them. It's to achieve one level, that's something else,
01:24but obviously we know what we want, and it's another thing to perform at the highest level every game,
01:31to earn the right to win it. Tomorrow is no different, it's the second game, and this is what we're going to do.
01:36Arsenal were the only team to beat you twice last season.
01:42What was it that they did particularly well against you, or that you couldn't work out against them?
01:46They scored and we didn't, very simple, in two games, even though we had an enormous amount of chances to do that.
01:52That was one of the big differences. There are all the details for sure that we have analysed,
01:57and we have to do better tomorrow, and because they are a really good side, a really good coach.
02:02What makes them particularly difficult to play against?
02:05They dominate every aspect of the game. You give them space to run, they are phenomenal when they have no space,
02:11and they have to find spaces to be able to do that. Any resources they had, that's it. That's why they did what they did.
02:19Just like me, four of the Premier League managers now are all Basques. What makes Basques...
02:26Big community, yeah?
02:27Yeah, I mean 20% of the Premier League managers are Basques.
02:29Go to San Sebastian and then come back and ask me that question. You all have to go there,
02:33because it's a beautiful place, beautiful city, great restaurants, great food, great culture.
02:38What makes you such a good football manager?
02:40Probably the passion and education that we all got. We all need opportunities and chances.
02:46Someone has to believe in you. I think what Una and Julian did for us is incredible,
02:52because they set the standards so high. They won a lot. The way they coached the team,
02:56the way they represented the clubs, it was at the highest level.
03:00I think that gave a platform for the youngest ones like myself, like Xavi, like Andoni.
03:06Probably to end that curiosity and say, OK, maybe there are coaches here as well.
03:11So I think we have to be very grateful to those two.
03:14Do you and Andoni, Julian and Una, have a WhatsApp group or anything?
03:18No, we don't.
03:25Hello.
03:26Timba replacing Djenko against Wolves for a short time,
03:29and you really showed what you've been missing.
03:31Aggressive, ball carrier, winning all those duels.
03:34The kind of view he added to the squad, can we expect at any point
03:37to see him be used as a midfielder alternative as well?
03:40Yeah, he is. He can play in various positions.
03:42His versatility is one of the biggest strengths.
03:45Obviously, we missed him for 11 months. It's great to have him back.
03:48He played some quality minutes the other day, like Alex did as well.
03:52I think Alex was really good as well,
03:54especially in the first 60 minutes against Wolves.
03:56And having that capacity in the squad to turn things around
04:00and find other things that the team is needing in that moment,
04:03I think it's something very valuable.
04:05Players have spoken a lot about how effective you've been
04:08in getting the team in the right state of mind.
04:10They said this pre-season felt very different mentally as well.
04:14How has it been for you mentally as a coach to go through the season
04:18and develop the project, develop the squad,
04:20to keep everyone resilient and yourself ready?
04:22It's great. It gives you so much energy.
04:24In our jobs, every day is something new.
04:26Someone you want to unveil and try.
04:30The players give you so much information, so much to think about.
04:33And we have a staff. They're all curious.
04:36They all want to get better, they all want to evolve.
04:38And this is why transformation happens,
04:42because everybody is on the same page on that.
04:44And Declan Rice, you said he's in the best position in the sixth,
04:47but he loves and gets excited playing in the eighth.
04:50So, in his article for career and future,
04:53do we expect to see him in both, or do you see him at the sixth?
04:58I think so. And at his age, I think it would be a big mistake not to do that
05:01and not to have the capacity to play in different positions.
05:05And then within the game, he will have a different role
05:08in relation to the opponent as well and what they do.
05:12And last year, he showed that he has the ability to shift
05:15from one game to the other, sometimes in the same game,
05:18and to have players like that with the shortest squad that we have
05:21is really important.
05:24Hi, Phil.
05:25Hi.
05:26First away game of the season this weekend.
05:28No team took more points than Arsenal in the last two seasons away from home.
05:33How much confidence can a record like that pass, performance, give the team
05:37before going to sleep at night?
05:39That we've done it. That's the confidence.
05:42Now we have to show it again.
05:44And tomorrow we have to go there, obviously, with that belief,
05:47being very clear what we want to do and what we have to do
05:50to earn the right to win the game.
05:52And we'll certainly try to do that again.
05:54One away from 100 Premier League wins already,
05:58he can break all sorts of records in his Arsenal career.
06:02Is that something that you think he's motivated about,
06:05those numbers, and have you used that to challenge him?
06:07That's a question for him.
06:09Obviously, when you look at those numbers, he says he's very, very special,
06:12especially in the position that he plays.
06:14You said a different position, I can be more consistent like that.
06:18But a rare thing to see and a big credit to him.
06:22Hi, it's from BBC.
06:23Hi, Miguel.
06:24Hi.
06:25Durian came on, Durian Timber came on in the last match.
06:28Is he fit enough to start at the weekend and have a fitness update
06:31with the rest of the squad as well?
06:33Yeah, well, he had a really good pre-season tier point
06:35and then we had to stop him because he had a little issue there.
06:38And we didn't believe that he was ready to do that.
06:41We have to build him up, we have to be cautious with him.
06:44So, I'm not sure about that.
06:46And five players named in the PFA Premier League team of the year.
06:50You travelled to Manchester to see the players get their awards.
06:53Do you think it's important to show that support to the squad?
06:56Yeah, it was a really proud moment, obviously,
06:58for the second year in a row to have five players in the starting eleven.
07:02It's a big thing.
07:03So, everybody at the club is really proud of them,
07:06really proud of the team.
07:08They are there because all the players as well have contributed
07:11for them to perform at that level.
07:13And obviously all the staff that is involved every day
07:15to try to make them better.
07:17You've spoken about how the transfer window is open for all the managers.
07:20Will you still be looking for players up until the end of the window?
07:24Do you have a number you'd like to bring in?
07:26We have to because anything can happen both ways
07:29and you have to be ready.
07:30Especially in the last week.
07:31You better be alert and be prepared
07:33because a lot of surprises can come for many different reasons
07:38and we are prepared.
07:42Hi.
07:43When you sort of left us in the summer,
07:45I think you got brought by the stage.
07:47A new contract will be signed.
07:48Just for any fans who might be concerned that it's not,
07:51that it's an update, should they be worried?
07:54The focus has been on the transfer window.
07:56We had quite a lot of things to do and discuss
07:59and we are on it and we will take care of that in the right moment.
08:04Is that one of those things where the window is done
08:06and then you sit down and have those talks?
08:08Yeah.
08:12Hi, how are you?
08:13Hello, good.
08:14How big a test so early in the season is this game going to be?
08:18Yeah, one of the toughest places to go for sure.
08:21And we know that and we prepared really well
08:25to understand what we have to do
08:27and we will try to go there to win the game, for sure.
08:29Is it important for you to get one personally over the manager?
08:33Personally?
08:34I don't take things personally.
08:36I just have the will to win and prepare the team in the best possible manner
08:40regardless of who I play against.
08:43We have still got a week of the transfer window.
08:45How would you sum it up?
08:47Because some clubs you would expect to do a lot of business,
08:50like Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, have been very quiet.
08:55The other clubs have been really busy.
08:57Does that show everyone else needs to catch you up?
09:01Well, I think everybody would be in a different position.
09:03We knew what we wanted to do, what we could do as well,
09:08which is important.
09:09And you have to put those two things together at the end.
09:13And then what is available that really can strengthen the squad,
09:16can make the team better for the short, medium and long term as well,
09:20which is important.
09:21And another thing that is very important is looking at our academy as well.
09:25It has to be looked at in the right way
09:27because now we have some promising talent coming up there.
09:30And we have to create a space for those kids
09:32to start to come very close to the first team as well.
09:35I'm glad you mentioned that.
09:36My final question is,
09:37one of your star players is Hikari Sakho,
09:40who has come through Haalander Academy.
09:42Yet we've seen throughout the summer,
09:44if I presume any,
09:45Hetsing will be in the Arsenal,
09:47on the Skippers, Spurs,
09:48coming out of the Chelsea.
09:50It seems clubs are more selling their academy players
09:55than promoting the first team.
09:57I wouldn't differentiate that
09:59because Arsenal and any other club have sold all the players.
10:03They are part of the squad.
10:04You cannot differentiate.
10:05They are getting sold,
10:07sometimes because the player wants to go,
10:09sometimes because the club needs to,
10:11because both of them agree
10:12that is the best thing to that stage of their career.
10:14And as well,
10:15is that those players have been for a long time at the club,
10:18which maybe with foreign players it hasn't happened.
10:20So I wouldn't look at it that way.
10:23I think it is important that when we make a decision,
10:27when the players make a decision,
10:28we are fully aligned.
10:29And in the case of Emili,
10:30it was clear he has expressed that desire
10:32to play more with what happened in the last two seasons.
10:35And it's very understandable,
10:37you know,
10:38and you can't stop in a way
10:39or somebody that has given you so much.
10:43I know a lot of the focus is what goes on on the pitch
10:47and the transfer market,
10:48as you just mentioned.
10:49I was wondering for you,
10:51do you put much importance on the way you communicate information,
10:55whether it be in here with us guys
10:58or with your team of players and stuff like that?
11:01Yes, especially in order to create more problems.
11:04It is very important,
11:06you know,
11:07at the end I'm here,
11:08I'm representing the club,
11:09I'm representing that team,
11:10those players as well.
11:11And you guys have to understand what we do.
11:15I need to express that in the right manner.
11:17I need to understand where you guys are coming from as well.
11:20And it is very important.
11:22Every time we are here in front of the media,
11:24representing the club,
11:25it's a huge thing,
11:26obviously.
11:27Is that a skill that you've maybe needed to develop over time?
11:30Is it different when you're alone with the players?
11:33It is,
11:34but as a player as well,
11:35you have that responsibility.
11:36And when they put you the mic straight after the game
11:38and your heart is still beeping high
11:40and full of emotions,
11:42it's tricky.
11:43And we don't get any education to do that.
11:45So,
11:46probably it's trial and error,
11:48a lot of error,
11:49and then hopefully we get better.
11:51But it's something that is there
11:53and we have to live with it.
11:57Just on that,
11:58obviously last season,
11:59this year,
12:00you were at the side of the stands.
12:02I wonder,
12:03what are your memories of that?
12:05Did it change?
12:06I didn't enjoy it one bit.
12:08No.
12:09I fell too far.
12:12This is a moment that I love the most.
12:14During the week,
12:15you are just building everything to get to that moment,
12:17being in the grass next to the player
12:19and the competition is on your veins.
12:21And to be there,
12:22it was frustrating.
12:25Yeah,
12:26it's easy.
12:27When you make a mistake,
12:28you are there.
12:29I should have,
12:30but it's too late.
12:31I should have.
12:41Did you have any temptation to give him a warning?
12:45No,
12:46I can talk with my time with Raheem
12:48that it was exceptional.
12:49I think we built a really strong relationship together.
12:53He was unbelievable at the time that we were together.
12:56And he taught me a lot as well,
12:58about the individuals,
12:59how the players think,
13:00how we give them support and help them.
13:03He's someone that I really have strong feelings about.
13:08You had something similar,
13:09not on the same scale,
13:10but do you still divide what is the most appropriate
13:13in terms of having to deal with so many players
13:15and other players who are part of the club?
13:17What is the importance of that?
13:20I don't know.
13:21I'm not in his shoes.
13:23He's someone that I really like.
13:25The way he coaches,
13:26I have some really good things about him.
13:28I know him a little bit.
13:29I just wish him the best.
13:31He's got a beautiful project as well ahead of him,
13:33I think.
13:34I just wish him the best.
13:36James ESPN?
13:37You said you were looking at the contract for next month.
13:42I didn't say next month, no.
13:43Did I say it?
13:44Well, when we noticed...
13:45Yeah, it's OK.
13:50You're taking the club such a long way.
13:52You must be really excited by the idea
13:54of where you can go,
13:55not just this season,
13:56but in years to come.
13:57I am.
13:58I am very grateful, first of all,
14:00for where I'm sitting
14:01and the people that I work with every single day.
14:04It's really difficult to find that harmony,
14:07that trust,
14:08that belief,
14:09that same alignment in the vision.
14:11It's something I always mention,
14:13especially after,
14:14because I believe that we have an unbelievable
14:18still time ahead of us.
14:20It's very exciting,
14:21and I'm very excited about it.
14:23You're looking at Roxy Pepper,
14:25nine years in City,
14:26you're going to have some time in Liverpool.
14:28Is that kind of long-term reality as a target?
14:31Do you see yourself...
14:33I see myself today and tomorrow,
14:35and this is the reality of us as managers.
14:37And I think that we have to live with that urgency as well.
14:41I think it's something that I actually like.
14:44And looking two years' time,
14:47three years' time,
14:48with Josel,
14:49we have to plan.
14:50Because it's the club,
14:51what is going to happen afterwards,
14:52it will depend on how good the results that we get.
14:55That's it.
14:56That's our reality.
14:57In the meantime,
14:58do your best and enjoy it if you can.