I want to win the way we prepare the game and the way we want to play, in our way - Arteta
27/09/2024
Sobha Realty Training Centre, London, UK
27/09/2024
Sobha Realty Training Centre, London, UK
Category
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SportsTranscript
00:00Did you say that you asked the players to write down the issues facing Leicester?
00:07Was that sort of yesterday's training exercise or something? What kind of words did they use?
00:13There are in the dressing room.
00:15And just one more on this debate that's been going on.
00:24For about a decade, if not more, Arsenal have consistently been accused of being too soft.
00:30They go away, they lose, they be too weak, they roll over.
00:33And now it seems like you've been accused of being too tough, too streetwise, too dark.
00:38That debate has flipped quite quickly on its head.
00:42But that's not a debate, that's a war that you cannot win, no?
00:46Because this side I don't like it, this side I don't like it, so where do I go?
00:50Don't get involved in it, it doesn't make any sense.
00:53It's very clear, you look from outside and say, I'm not going to get involved here.
00:57Does it bother you in any way that people talk about style as if it's a good thing or a bad thing, good versus evil?
01:03No.
01:05You just want to win?
01:09I want to win the way we prepare the games and the way we want to play for sure, in our way.
01:14But understanding the context.
01:17Because I want to wear flip-flops and shorts and T-shirts, but with this weather, I think it would be very silly to do that.
01:24I better get the umbrella, I know it's a weekend, what are you doing, man?
01:27No, but I'm very brave.
01:28Yeah, but tomorrow you're sick, so...
01:35Maybe Facebook.
01:48How difficult was that?
02:06This rivalry with City now is so intense and there's a lot of passion, are you almost enjoying the fact that it's now got to this level?
02:14Because when you first joined Arsenal, you were miles away from having a rivalry with City, but now the rivalry is really intense and aggressive.
02:36So you'd rather be hated than looked at from the back?
02:45The reaction of somebody else is different.
02:47Just your relationship with Pep, you spoke about how it's so strong, but the longer this rivalry goes on, is there any danger of it being slightly damaged?
02:58Because you've got so much love and respect, but if you want to keep beating him, naturally that may get affected.
03:03Well, they beat us, they won the last Premier League, and that relationship continues the same.
03:09So what has to change then is that relationship to get deteriorated.
03:13For you to beat him?
03:14I don't think so, I don't think that would happen.
03:18In the last week, your team have shown a lot of toughness, as Sam mentioned.
03:22Do you think that's really necessary for a team to win titles, to have a bit of a nasty streak in them?
03:29A team has to control and dominate every single scenario.
03:33If you want to compete at the level that we are in, against the opposition that we have, you have to be the best in the world.
03:39They're doing almost everything in football.
03:41That's the level, and that's what we have to try to do.
03:45Is that something you've spoken to the team about in the past, when they were getting pushed around?
03:50Obviously your team is a lot bigger physically now as well.
03:52Do you encourage that? Do teams try to wind you up in that way?
03:57Well, that's just the physical aspect of the individuals, but I think it's more related to the mentality,
04:03to understanding and maturity, and how people confront the conflict and the challenges and different situations.
04:12With Kieran Tierney, what's the situation with him at the minute?
04:16He's down the line this season.
04:18Do you see him playing a part with the squad and team?
04:22First of all, he needs to get fit.
04:24He obviously had a quite nasty injury.
04:27He's recovering, he's doing really well.
04:29He looks much better at the moment, but he's still a few weeks away.
04:32Once he's fit, we'll see what his role in the team is.
04:37There was a video recently of Trossard walking into the training centre with buckets.
04:41There was a suggestion that might have been a punishment for his red card sending off against Man City.
04:46Is there anything in that?
04:48I haven't seen that.
04:50No, at least it's not a punishment that I made him do.
04:53I don't know what you're talking about.
04:56And one final thing.
04:58You said obviously in his press conference recently that you and him had a few technical exchanges.
05:04Hey Sam, that question's been asked. I know you came in late.
05:08So we'll finish with Hamza. Thank you.
05:12You mentioned the Caledona fixtures.
05:14Obviously there's been a bit of talk of player strikes recently.
05:18I'm just wondering what your thoughts are on the matter and whether if players went on strike you'd support them?
05:24We always try to support the players.
05:26I think they're raising their voices and at least we have to listen to them.
05:31I can give my own opinion about certain things.
05:34But they are the main protagonists or the only protagonists on this one and they have to be heard.
05:39Let's see.
05:41I just wanted to mention tactics earlier.
05:43Just a question to you.
05:45You come up against low blocks quite often.
05:47For people that watch, what's the best way to try and break down a low block?
05:53Great question.
05:55We would have to debate a lot of things here.
05:59We have plenty of time.
06:03The first thing is who defends which spaces and with what kind of density, with height, with what formation.
06:10And then there are solutions.
06:12There are solutions on paper but this game is so unpredictable that to break them down,
06:16there are ways that are not in the book.
06:18That's the nicest thing I would say.
06:20Okay, well thank you.