Arteta and Saka discuss Edu Leaving as well as there upcoming UCL match with Inter Milan
05/11/2024
Sobha Realty Training Centre, London, UK
05/11/2024
Sobha Realty Training Centre, London, UK
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SportsTranscript
00:00Hi everyone, hope everyone's well.
00:12Hi guys, just to kick off, obviously before we start, we'll take two questions on Edu
00:16and then we'll move on to the footballing questions.
00:18So, if everyone's ready.
00:22Sorry, did everyone hear me there?
00:23Just to say, we'll take two questions on Edu and then we'll move on to the footballing questions.
00:27So, if we have someone at the front here from the UK media to kick off, we'll kick off with Jordan.
00:37Hi Miquel, just to kind of sum up your emotions around it, obviously a close colleague and a close friend as well,
00:43and what your initial reaction was to it?
00:46Yeah, everything happened very quickly.
00:51Obviously I loved working with him, I really enjoyed being alongside him in this incredible journey.
00:57From day one we've been together and, yeah, first of all I'm very grateful personally for what everything's done for me
01:07and then for the amazing work that he's done for the football club.
01:10So, yeah, I think we both had this special chemistry working together, we really both enjoyed our roles and working together.
01:21And I'm very blessed that he's been part of my life in such a beautiful place that I am right now,
01:28managing this incredible club, and he's been a massive part of that.
01:33He's had an amazing opportunity now to do something else in a different role
01:39and he believes that it's the right professional move for him.
01:42We have to respect that and from the bottom of my heart I think everybody really feels that we want the best for him.
01:50And that's it.
01:52Mikel, what would you say to any supporters who are concerned that Edu's departure
01:57might stop the progress that you've been making over the last few years?
02:02Well, the plan of the division that starts with ownership that is very clear and very ambitious is going to continue.
02:07We have a very strong leadership team with an unbelievable know-how,
02:12a real passion and great feelings for the football club.
02:15We're not going to stop where we are at the moment.
02:18And then across the club, you know, the excitement, the passion, the understanding of
02:23where we want to take this journey remains intact.
02:26And that means opportunities as well for somebody to come and fulfil that role.
02:31A lot of people that Edu has brought as well alongside him in this journey,
02:35which is always very important.
02:37And we move on. We say thank you and we have to move on because that's the reality of our industry.
02:44Thanks, guys. We're going to move on to match matters.
02:47Can I just start with a bit of housekeeping?
02:49Injury-wise, Martin, is he available and fit? And Declan, how far away is he?
02:56Yeah, well, the positive news, Martin, great to have him back.
02:59Obviously, he's trained with us for the first time.
03:02A full session today. He felt good.
03:05He's a bit earlier than we expected, but he wanted to be with the team.
03:08So we will decide tomorrow whether to use him or not.
03:11But at least it's a big step that he's travelled with us and he's part of the team.
03:16And Declan, unfortunately, he picked an injury during the match against Newcastle.
03:20He was able to finish the game, but he wasn't feeling good in the last few days.
03:25So we'll have to assess him on Thursday and understand whether he's going to be fit or not for the weekend.
03:31Can I just ask you, you've obviously had a fantastic couple of years, Mikel.
03:37You've really taken the club forward, everyone can see that.
03:41Do you feel a little bit more pressure?
03:44Obviously, you're putting pressure on yourself all the time, aren't you, to win?
03:48And this is a great opportunity in this competition, isn't it?
03:51But Bicolau, I think Eden said earlier in the season, this is our season to win.
03:57Do you feel that going into it?
03:59Absolutely. My blood is pumping.
04:01This is the kind of game that we want to play.
04:03To come to Milan to play Inter, that two years ago they were the final in the Champions League.
04:10And to come here and show the team that we are in right now and the ambition that we have.
04:16These are the games that we want to play, that's for sure.
04:22UEFA have announced that there will be a period of silence before the games for the events in Valencia and Spain.
04:28How important is it that football marks these moments?
04:32It's great because we need a lot of support.
04:36We need noise around what happened because obviously the situation has been extremely difficult for a lot of families, for a lot of people.
04:45But especially that difficulty is going to continue for months.
04:48So that support is going to have to be consistent.
04:51And the more aware we make people, the better, because more help and support they're going to have.
04:55So thanks for that.
04:57Hello, coach. I'm Jacek Kulowski from Polish Television.
05:00I would like to ask you about Kuba Kivior.
05:02As you know, Kuba played just a few minutes in the Premier League, a little bit more in the Champions League,
05:09and a little bit more in the Premier League.
05:12And the question is what Kuba has to do and shouldn't do to play more?
05:19Especially do all the qualities that he had and put him at the service of the team.
05:24And that's it. When he has the opportunity to play those minutes,
05:28show that he's got the level that we believe he has to perform and help us to win football matches.
05:33That's it.
05:35John from ABC.
05:36Hi, Mikel.
05:37With everything that's happened over the course of the last few weeks,
05:40whether it's the recent results in the Premier League, the news about Edu this week,
05:45coming here without Declan Rice, Chelsea coming up on Sunday,
05:50what do you describe this as? A test of character? What is it?
05:55With everything that we've been through here, four or five years, what a great place we are in.
05:59Because we've been with problems of all kinds in this football club for many years,
06:06and we are in an incredible moment right now.
06:09And we are blessed to be where we are.
06:11We're going to play this competition, we're going to play 70 games,
06:14we're going to have injuries, we're going to have defeats like many other teams.
06:18And it shows where we are and then how good we're going to be to react and be ourselves.
06:25And tomorrow come here to win again.
06:29Hi, coach.
06:31Inzaghi talks about Arsenal as one of the main candidates for the final.
06:35While Guardiola says this about Inter.
06:38Who do you agree with more, Inzaghi or Guardiola?
06:41Do you agree more with Guardiola or Inzaghi?
06:43I don't know.
06:44It's obviously the opinion of other managers that if they see us in this regard,
06:49we see ourselves as well as a very strong team that can compete with anybody.
06:53And it's time to show tomorrow that we are at that level,
06:56that we can come here and beat them.
06:59Good evening, Gaffer.
07:06Both in Italy and abroad, a lot has been made about Simone Inzaghi's coaching style,
07:14his innovation, his ability for his players to swap positions on the pitch.
07:20I'd like to ask you, given you've worked with him a great deal,
07:23do you see any similarities with Guardiola or is that blasphemy?
07:29And on the Wikipedia page, I hear you speak Italian.
07:32If you wish to speak in Italian, that would be delighted.
07:35For me, that's the biggest strength of Inter.
07:37And that's full credit to their manager.
07:40He has some very specific ideas, especially in ball possession, the way he moves.
07:48The position of certain players, not all the players,
07:51but certain players to occupy different spaces,
07:54it makes it tricky and unpredictable.
07:58But we face, to be fair, in the Premier League as well,
08:00a lot of tactical issues that we have to resolve.
08:03And hopefully tomorrow we're going to be able to do that as well.
08:07Hi, Mikel. Just hiding behind here.
08:09We're going to speak to Macaio in a minute.
08:11We know why you want him on the pitch as a player.
08:13What is it about him that wants you to have him as your captain as well?
08:17There's so many games.
08:19Especially the way people look at him.
08:22People admire him, people respect him.
08:25People want to be next to him.
08:27He's got this capacity to inject this positivity in people.
08:31He's got a very particular way of smiling and transmitting his energy.
08:36And he's one of our leaders right now.
08:39He's come all the way from the academy.
08:42He shares the values of the football club.
08:44He's one of our biggest talents, biggest players.
08:46No question about that.
08:48He's got a status in the team right now.
08:51Hi, Mikel.
08:52You've, of course, brought us a long way in the last couple of seasons.
08:55The points tallies and whatnot shows exactly what you've done for your team.
09:01But obviously with the defeat against Newcastle, the recent news about you leaving,
09:04what would your message be to the fans who maybe are uncertain or a bit worried at this point?
09:10Nothing.
09:11In moments when you have a defeat or two or you have certain news that nobody expects,
09:16like we always do, stick together, bring positive energy and move forward.
09:21This is part of football and we have to be very strong.
09:25Like we've always done, we'll get a long way just with that.
09:29So, stick together.
09:31OK, last two questions now.
09:32Firstly in here.
09:33Hi, coach.
09:34Francesco Pietrella from Gazzetta Aerosport.
09:37I'd like to ask you, even when you played against Atalanta,
09:43is playing against an Italian taking a trip to the dentist as well?
09:48How did you learn Italian? Why?
09:51It's certainly a privilege to be here and fully prepared for the game
09:57that we're going to have to play against the opposition that we're going to be facing.
10:00Yeah, regarding the Italian, because I love the culture, I love languages.
10:04It's a way that helps you to communicate with the world,
10:08especially with our players and staff.
10:13OK, and finally to Gary from Atalanta.
10:15Miquel, can I just ask you the nature of Declan's injury?
10:18You said he wasn't feeling well. It's not like Declan not to be feeling well.
10:22Does that suggest it might be a little bit more serious than you think?
10:28Yes, it was a knock, so it's a problem on his foot.
10:31He wasn't comfortable to put his boots on, so at the moment he's not fit.
10:37OK, everyone. Thanks very much.
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14:36So if there are any in Italian, we should pop these in, right?
14:39Yes.
14:49Hello, everyone.
14:51I think we will kick off with one question on Edu, if that's all right.
14:55So, James, do you want to kick us off and then we'll go from there.
14:58Hi, Bakayo.
14:59Thanks for your time.
15:01Could you just sum up how you and the players feel about Edu leaving?
15:05You know, were you surprised by it and what impact do you think it will have on the club?
15:10Yeah, so we didn't know, but we all know what Edu's done for the club and he's a top, top person.
15:17So first of all, just want to wish him all the best.
15:20And obviously we all know what he's done for the football club.
15:24He's been involved in the transformation and getting us back to performing at the highest stage.
15:30So we're all grateful for him and just wishing him all the best.
15:36John.
15:38Hello, Bakayo.
15:39Can I just ask you what tomorrow night means for you, really?
15:42San Siro, Inter Milan, Champions League, it's one of the great nights.
15:46What does it mean?
15:47It must be right up there.
15:49Yeah, for me, these games, these big games, you know, there's always a big atmosphere.
15:56There's always a lot of pressure, a lot of intensity.
15:58And for me, I feel it brings the best out of me.
16:00So, yeah, I'm looking forward to it.
16:04Jordan.
16:07Hi, Bakayo.
16:08You've spoken previously about believing that this could be Arsenal's year to win big trophies.
16:15How important is it for the squad, for the club to keep on believing that even through these difficult times?
16:21Because it could be quite easy just to say, well, you know, we're now a few points behind.
16:26But do you have to keep on having that belief?
16:29Yeah, for me, I always live by the quote, it's not what you see, it's what you believe.
16:34But at the same time, it's important to not be delusional.
16:38And in this case, I don't think it's delusional to believe.
16:41If you look at our squad, the quality we have, the players we have.
16:44And at the same time, we're early in November.
16:47So, I don't think I've lost any belief.
16:50I don't think anyone in the changing room has either.
16:53Kaya.
16:54Hi, Bakayo.
16:56Hi.
16:57You'll be leading the team out tomorrow, most likely, wearing the captain's armband.
17:01It's something you've done quite a lot over the past few weeks.
17:04I just want to ask what that's been like for you.
17:05Because obviously, you've grown up at the club and you're an Arsenal fan.
17:08And it must be a dream for you wearing the captain's armband.
17:10And also becoming a leader within the team now as well.
17:12And how that's changed things for you recently.
17:15Yeah.
17:16So, it's been a big honour to put the captain's armband on.
17:20And yeah, every time I don't take it for granted.
17:23And of course, like you said, my role in the team has improved a lot this year.
17:27And I have to step up for my team and be more of a leader.
17:30But I'm embracing it.
17:31I'm doing my best.
17:32And yeah, that's all I can do really.
17:35Charles.
17:36Hi, Bakayo.
17:38Obviously, it's been a difficult few weeks results-wise.
17:41And with the Edu news as well.
17:43As part of being captain at the moment.
17:46Have you taken it upon yourself maybe this week to speak to the group in that leadership role?
17:52And get everyone together in just a bit of a rallying cry really?
17:57No, I think I would if I needed to.
18:00If I felt I needed to.
18:01But I think it's important not to overreact as well.
18:04Obviously, there's a lot of noise around the club.
18:06And we lost two games and drew another one.
18:08But at the same time, I think it's important to stay calm.
18:12And doing all these things can, at the same time, create more calm.
18:16But they can also create a bit more panic and chaos.
18:18And I don't think we need that right now.
18:20So I'm just doing my best to help the team in every way I can.
18:26And if I need to do that, I'll do that for sure.
18:29Nick.
18:30Hi, Bakayo. Just down here.
18:31I just wonder what players have influenced you as a captain.
18:34Which leaders you've enjoyed playing under.
18:35And what sort of captain you are.
18:37Are you someone who talks before the games in the dressing room?
18:40On the pitch?
18:43First of all, I'm not the captain.
18:46Martin's still the captain.
18:48I'm just part of the leadership group.
18:50And I wear the captain's armband when he's not around.
18:54And he's back now.
18:55Which is going to be a big boost for us.
18:57But when I do have the armband on me,
19:01I'd say I'm more of a lead-by-example kind of guy.
19:04But at the same time, there's a responsibility to talk sometimes.
19:08And in the team talks, I have to be the one to speak up as well.
19:12And yeah, I do my part on that as well.
19:14Ed.
19:15Hi, Bakayo.
19:16Results in the Premier League haven't been very good of late.
19:19But in the Champions League, you've had a really good start.
19:21Obviously, two wins and a draw so far.
19:23Has there been a difference in your performances in this competition
19:26to the Premier League, do you think?
19:28I feel like in the Champions League, we've been really good this season.
19:33We have a very good record.
19:35And yeah, we're unbeaten.
19:37And we're going to look to keep that record tomorrow night.
19:40And that's all we can really do.
19:42Esam.
19:43Hi, Bakayo.
19:44For a while now, it seems that you play regardless
19:46whether you've had a knock or whatever.
19:48And you're very keen to obviously be involved where possible.
19:50After Preston McHale said that you said to him,
19:53once I'm here, I prefer to have a few minutes.
19:56Is that you constantly driving to get on the pitch
19:58regardless if it's a cup game, a league game or whatever?
20:01Yeah.
20:03Pretty much, yeah.
20:05What's the rationale behind that, of being on the pitch as much as possible
20:09regardless of how big or small the game is?
20:12I think I just love football.
20:14I live for football.
20:16When I go home, I watch a lot of football too.
20:19And it's just always on my mind.
20:21And like I said, I always take care of my body
20:24so that I can be available for each and every game.
20:26And yeah, if I'm going to travel there and I'm available to play,
20:30I want to play.
20:32So yeah, that's my mindset.
20:34We'll move to the last couple at the back.
20:36The one over here on the right.
20:38Hi, Bakayo.
20:40Hi, Bakayo.
20:42I'd like to ask you.
20:44Sorry, sorry. I don't understand it.
20:46Hi, Bakayo.
20:48It's OK?
20:50Can you hear me?
20:52I'd like to ask you, given we're here in Italy,
20:54whether you had an Italian player as an idol of yours
20:58that really excited you when you were growing up?
21:01And if you had to take an Inter player out of the current side,
21:05which player would you take out?
21:11Italian player?
21:14I'd probably say Jorginho.
21:16My team-mate and I love him.
21:19And if I was to take a player out of Inter Milan now...
21:30I don't know. I could take a lot of them.
21:32There's a lot of quality players.
21:34I like Barella. I think he's a top midfielder.
21:36Also the two strikers, Turam and Martinez, are good as well.
21:41But at the same time, I'm happy with my team-mates
21:43and I wouldn't swap any of them, for sure.
21:45And we'll go... Yeah.
21:47Bakayo.
21:49When Mikel Arteta was asked in here a few moments ago
21:52what it was that made him think that you would be a good captain,
21:57he said it's the way people look at you.
22:00So what is the way people look at you, from your perspective,
22:04and also the captains that you've played under,
22:07whether it's Martin Odegaard or Harry Kane,
22:09whoever it happens to be, what have you seen them do
22:12that you've admired and thought that you would do
22:15if you ever took on the captaincy?
22:20If I start with Martin, I think...
22:22Obviously I've seen him come in when he wasn't captain
22:26and now he is.
22:28So I've seen him progress and evolve in that role
22:31and it's been really impressive.
22:33So I've been watching and learning at times.
22:36And he's made a big step at that.
22:38Harry Kane is also a top captain as well.
22:41He leads by example a lot on the pitch.
22:43He's always available.
22:45He's always training top.
22:47Always one of the best in training as well.
22:49So I try to learn from them both
22:51and do what I can do best.
22:54But the perspective-wise of how people see me,
22:57I think it's best to ask other people, if I'm honest.
23:01But I just feel like a lot of my teammates,
23:03they know that I don't really speak too much.
23:06But when I speak, most of the time I'm going to say something.
23:10Say something good.
23:11So most of the time they will listen.
23:13And last two.
23:14Hi.
23:16My question comes from the personal congratulations
23:19I want to give you.
23:20Because personally I think you are the player
23:22that has the most upgraded in the last three years.
23:26I was in Wembley three years ago
23:28and I celebrated a lot that penalty.
23:30And when I sobered up, I thought,
23:32oh my God, the guy is only 19.
23:34How is he going to recover from that?
23:36And when I saw you at the Euros last summer,
23:39you were not only, in my humble opinion,
23:42the best England player,
23:43but also a point of reference on the pitch
23:46as a leader, as you are now from Arsenal.
23:49So my question comes, as I think they say also in England,
23:52what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
23:54So what personally did you do to come from that moment,
23:58which ain't easy at all?
24:00And also I ask you tactically,
24:01if you have studied particularly about facing tomorrow
24:04the flank of Inter?
24:07First of all, thank you very much for your nice words.
24:11And I would say it was a very difficult moment for me.
24:17Yeah, it was very difficult.
24:18I didn't really know how I would come out of it.
24:20I was just taking it each day by day
24:22and I had a lot of support from family, friends,
24:24everyone at the club, everyone at the national team.
24:27So that helped me a lot.
24:29And then at the same time,
24:31I just had a conversation with myself and said,
24:34I can either go into a shell and hide
24:37and not express myself anymore
24:40or I can do the opposite,
24:41which is work even harder,
24:45become a better player in every other aspect.
24:47And if I do have an opportunity to take a penalty again,
24:50I'm going to be the first one grabbing the ball.
24:52And that's what I did.
24:54And everyone saw what happened
24:56when I did score that first penalty.
24:58And since then I've taken many more
25:00and scored most of them.
25:01So, yeah, I think it was a point in my life
25:04where I had a choice
25:05and I think I made the right choice, I'd say.
25:08And the final question in the middle here.
25:12Hi, Bukayo.
25:17Hi, Bukayo.
25:20Is there a facet of Inter's play
25:22that struck you more than anything else
25:25playing this game?
25:26And has Jorginho told you what sort of atmosphere
25:28to expect tomorrow night here at San Siro?
25:31Yeah, of course, we've studied Inter.
25:35We believe they have many qualities,
25:37many threats,
25:38starting with their build-up.
25:41Of course, they're very good to come out from the back.
25:44And they're very dangerous with the two strikers,
25:46like I said earlier.
25:48And the full-backs as well,
25:49the wing-backs going high and wide and attacking.
25:51So we need to be careful of them
25:53and do our best to defend well tomorrow.
25:57And, yeah, if we can get a clean sheet,
25:58then we have a bigger chance to win the game.
26:01Cool, we'll end it there.
26:02Thank you guys so much.
26:04Thank you very much.
26:31You