Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gives triple injury updates and that nobody wants the win more than him and the squad
08/11/2024
Sobha Training Training Center, London, UK
08/11/2024
Sobha Training Training Center, London, UK
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00:00Can you clarify the position with regard to Declan Wright and the issue he has?
00:11I have to be very vague on that one because there's no clarity whether he's going to be
00:14fit or not for the weekend.
00:16There's been reports maybe that there might be a broken toe, can you elaborate on that?
00:21That's for the doctor, what I can say is that he hasn't trained yet and it's not clear whether
00:27he's going to be available or not to play.
00:29Is Declan Wright in a position where he can start this game?
00:35Yes, everybody that is in the squad is going to be fit and available to start the game
00:38so then it will be a decision whether it's too early or it's the right moment for him
00:42to make that step again.
00:44And I guess that would mean the same for Kai Havertz and Mikel Mourinho, they've come
00:49through okay and available?
00:50Yes, we'll have to wait until tomorrow to see how they react.
00:54Kai was quite a nasty cut and he could not continue, we have to take him off.
00:58With Mikel, since the day before, to be fair he wasn't feeling great and we decided to
01:03serve him at half-time.
01:04One point from the last three Premier League games has been at odds to the long-term form
01:10that you've had before then, have you had to speak to the players to get to lift them
01:14at all?
01:15What's been the message?
01:16Well obviously when you don't win it affects the mood, affects the energy but the positive
01:22thing is that there is nobody, impossible, in this room or outside that wants to win
01:28more than I do and that these guys in the dressing room want to do.
01:31It is impossible.
01:32So that desire today, I had a meeting with them about it and I can sense it straight
01:37away.
01:38And what I sense as well is a big belief in how good we are as a team and again what we
01:41did in Milan, watching it back twice, I haven't seen my team doing that against them but you
01:46need to take that into a winning football match because at the end it's the only thing
01:50that anybody is going to judge, know how superior you are to the opponent, you outrun the opponent,
01:55you outperform the opponent in every single way.
01:57It's about did you score a goal, you didn't, we have a problem and the problem has to be
02:02resolved by scoring more goals than the opponent, that's it.
02:04If you go back to December, you had that similar run as well when you had that one point from
02:09three games and then you went on an astonishing run, eight Premier League wins in a row I
02:13think it was.
02:14Have you reminded your players about that, can you use that experience when you're in
02:18a situation like this one?
02:20Well the results probably were very similar, the context very different because you tend
02:26to forget why you lost a football game again against Bournemouth or what happened when
02:30we didn't win against Liverpool or the amount of situation that we have to go through.
02:35It does not matter, at the end we cannot go to Dubai for a week like we went last time,
02:40we can go to Dubai still for two days if that's the solution we go forwards and backwards
02:45and that the team is doing ten times more better things than we used to do at that period,
02:51that's the positive thing.
02:53But to all this to be clear and relevant, you have to win, especially to answer certain
02:58questions.
03:00From the outside it looks like a pivotal game with regard to the time choice, I know it's
03:04early and you'll probably say everyone's just got to stay calm but is it reaching that
03:10must-win status because of the teams that you're going to be competing against for
03:14this time?
03:15Well especially because we have missed certain points in the last few weeks, obviously the
03:21margins because it's smaller and smaller doesn't mean that the margin doesn't exist
03:24no more but more perfection is going to demand for the future.
03:28So for sure we want to win, we have to prepare and we have prepared the game to win it and
03:32that's the only thing that is in our heads.
03:35What have you made of Chelsea's progress, in particular the job that Enzo Maresca has
03:41done because from the outside a lot of people were saying it looks like a mess at Chelsea
03:46and yet they're now finding themselves in the top four?
03:49Well really impressed about what he's done but really impressed really what they've done
03:53over a year because with Mauricio as well the last six months I think they were extraordinary,
03:58you could see the squad, the quality they have, the amount of players that they have
04:04and then Enzo has given his touch and you can see clearly what he wants to do.
04:08I think he's been really brave from day one to consistently follow what he wanted to do,
04:13I know how he thinks, I know a lot of people that know him well and I'm very happy with
04:18him that he's making a lot of progress there.
04:25Speaking about Chelsea, they're on the same number of points but above Arsenal due to
04:30goal difference, do you feel they're also in the title race this season?
04:33Everything is important, I don't know if we're going to get to the last day
04:37when the goal difference is important but it's something to bear in mind.
04:41How do you neutralise a player like Cole Palmer who's had the lowest number of goal
04:45involvements so far this season, seven goals in five assists?
04:48That's a question that probably all the man is in the league had in the last year or so
04:52and he's still managed to impact games in the right way. Obviously we have a plan not
04:57only for Cole but as well to minimise all the qualities and threats that they have
05:02and try to exploit their weaknesses like any other team.
05:05And just finally, you've always spoken about the standards at Arsenal that every game
05:10it is a must win, if you come out with less than a win on a Sunday does it almost feel
05:15like the title race is out of your hands?
05:17I don't think about that.
05:21Hi Mikel, how are you?
05:22I'm good thank you.
05:23You just said there, nobody wants to win in or outside this building more than you.
05:28I promise you that.
05:30And nobody works harder than me to achieve that, all these guys, nobody.
05:35Talking maybe yes but actually working and making sure that this is going to happen,
05:39nobody, I guarantee you that.
05:41Have you had to hit a reset button this week to remind the team that you want them to…
05:47No we don't need a reset, we need in one particular aspect go from 95 to 100.
05:55I'm not going to tell you what that is.
05:59Go on, go on.
06:03Like Arsenal, lots of other teams have been inconsistent recently, Man City, apart from
06:08Liverpool maybe any team that haven't been.
06:10Why is that in the Premier League?
06:12I think everybody has been consistently struggling with the level that there is in this league
06:17and in general in Europe playing every three days at the level.
06:20Because the temperature has gone up another level, the level has gone up another level
06:24and to win, win, win and win.
06:26If not, I would put my fingers here that nobody is going to do 100 points this year.
06:31But it will require perfection to keep winning and even the teams that are winning,
06:35the margins have been like this or the moments in games have been like this.
06:39So very tough but this is the task.
06:42And do you think the margins between the teams that are, in inverted commas,
06:46the smaller clubs, the likes of Fulham, Brighton,
06:48Crenshaw and the top teams are getting smaller by the season?
06:52I think so, yeah.
06:54Last one, hopefully your injury problems are easing,
06:57they seem to be getting a little bit better.
06:59But have we reached, I mean most clubs seem to have had injury problems this season,
07:04have we reached the time when we should have bigger squads in the Premier League?
07:08With actual regulation I think it's very difficult.
07:12Would you like to see bigger squads?
07:13Well if we play every three days, the amount of games that we have to play
07:16is going to be a necessity, that's for sure.
07:19Can you put a number on it, how many you'd like to have?
07:21Sorry?
07:21Can you put a number on it, how many...
07:22A number and the quality of that squad, that's going to be the key.
07:26It's not just about a number, you can have numbers from all kinds of players,
07:29you can throw a lot of names there.
07:31But it's about the quality of that squad.
07:35Mikel, can I just ask you, is there a lot of pressure on Martin to come in and fix the attack?
07:40Does there need to be an appreciation that he can't just wave a magic wand
07:43and make everything alright going forward for you?
07:46No, I think that's...
07:47Obviously we are demanding that, that's not very realistic.
07:50It's about the collective, it's about taking ownership of every player,
07:54that's what we have to do in attacking and doing it better and more consistently.
07:58But certainly having a play like Martin helps
08:01because he's shown how important he's been for us in the last three or four years.
08:04When you were going through that run around maternity,
08:07I remember you spoke about showing players clips,
08:10looking at body language and reaction to missing chances.
08:13Is that something you see as a big part of the game,
08:16how the team reacts to when they're having these struggles?
08:18Well, there are various ways.
08:20I think the results in the last two, because Lesley Bournemouth away,
08:25because that's a very different context to that,
08:28the problem is quite well identified and very resolvable.
08:32And just one last one on Martin.
08:34He wasn't named in the Norway squad,
08:36but there's been some sort of suggestion he could possibly,
08:39depending on how it goes, maybe join up with them for the break.
08:42Is that something that's still an ongoing discussion in Norway?
08:44Let's see, let's see how it goes.
08:46How he trains tomorrow, he's available, he's fit.
08:49If he does play, how he feels after that,
08:51and then we'll make the decision between the three parties.
08:55Just one more on Martin, if I can.
08:57Just he's quite a captain, he's got such a sort of personal drive.
09:01While he's been out, has he been prominent around the squad?
09:05Has he helped you with messaging and motivation?
09:08Because it seems to us like he's the kind of character
09:11that it's hard to sort of separate from that, even when he's in.
09:14Yes, he's always very close, always very active with the team.
09:17He knows the role, responsibility that he has,
09:20and he's tried his best, but obviously not having him in the squad,
09:23in the team, in the hotel with us on many occasions, it is different.
09:28But I think the team on that issue,
09:30especially when we talk about motivation, had no issues at all.
09:35This idea maybe among some fans that he comes back in
09:38and the team makes the clicks again going forward,
09:41is it too simplistic a way to look at it?
09:44Well, we hope that it's going to help because he's been incredibly good for us
09:48and the impact he has on the team, not only in that phase,
09:51but in other phases that are so linked to the attacking phase,
09:55especially the way we transfer from one to the other.
09:57But yeah, he's been out for a while as well,
10:01so let's hope that it's going to be very fast and that he can impact the team.
10:07And that's the way I think.
10:09And you said earlier you think nobody's going to do 100 points,
10:12there's sort of been this perception...
10:14That I think that it's going to be very difficult.
10:17There's been this perception maybe in the last couple of years
10:20that because the standard is so high that if you lose one or two games
10:24whenever it is in the season, that's kind of it,
10:26because of how consistent City have been.
10:28But do you feel it's a bit different than this year?
10:30Is that something that you've maybe said to the players
10:32the last couple of days that actually one or two results,
10:35it's not a catastrophe, it's not a disaster?
10:37Is it like it could have been worse?
10:39No, well, we don't know how it's going to play out
10:41if there is a team that is able to do something like this.
10:44But everybody is struggling, even if he's winning.
10:48That's the thing.
10:49And sometimes the margins you could sense, feel, were bigger in games.
10:52They are not at the moment.
10:54I haven't seen a team being that superior to other teams.
10:58But at the end, the fact is that you have to continue to win
11:00and find ways and details to keep the right to win the games.
11:05Hi, Mikel.
11:06Hi.
11:06You often speak about the togetherness among the players.
11:09How important is that now,
11:10given the challenges the squad have faced in recent weeks?
11:12That's the joy of this team, that you go in there this morning
11:15and thinking of how they're going to feel after that.
11:18And we talk about and they are there.
11:21They are paying attention.
11:22They are hungry.
11:23They want to do more.
11:24What else we can do? What?
11:26And it's unbelievable.
11:27The desire they have, the togetherness they have,
11:29is just a joy to work with them.
11:31And Chelsea's fourth away game in a row.
11:34What can you say about the support that you and the players have felt
11:36from Preston to Newcastle and Milan?
11:38Nah, the fans are incredible.
11:41The way they follow, the way they support the team.
11:43And unfortunately, the last two,
11:45we haven't had the chance to bring the victory with us.
11:49So, the London derby is a good place.
11:53Hi, Mikel.
11:54Hi.
11:54Away from home last season, your team had a really good record.
11:56But this season, it's maybe not been the same.
11:58You've not scored in the Premier League away from home since Man City.
12:01You've had the second lowest number of shots of any team away from home in the league.
12:05Do you think that's down to a lack of creative spark
12:07or do you think there's other things at play?
12:09Well, there is another thing that obviously the level of opposition
12:12that we have played, that's for sure.
12:14Because nobody has played the away games that we have played this season.
12:17And certainly not in the condition of playing half of those games with 10 men.
12:22Nobody in the league.
12:23And to cope without Martin,
12:26you sort of tweaked the midfield and then you changed the formation a little bit.
12:30Is the plan now to go back to sort of what it was before
12:33when you sort of had the 4-3 restart?
12:35Do you think you'll be going back to that and leaving the 4-4 tier behind?
12:40Well, we have to adapt a lot of things this season
12:42because we have a lot of injuries and a lot of situations,
12:45especially in the backline and midfield.
12:47So, that's something that the team is learning as well and adapting to it.
12:51And a lot of times, it has worked.
12:53It has worked really well.
12:55And in other times, that's something that's missing
12:57because it's going to be different.
12:58But the team certainly has the capacity to do that.
13:04Right at the start, you said there are 10 things
13:06the team are doing better this time this year than they were last year.
13:09I was just wondering, would you be willing to share any of those?
13:14Yeah, if I compare how we played against Porto via Munich
13:17and how we played against Inter Milan away in Europe,
13:20there is no comparison whatsoever.
13:23But not in 10, probably in 20 aspects of the game
13:25and having everything, all the post-match review after that,
13:29it is very clear.
13:30The thing is that you need a result there.
13:32At the end, the outcome was the same,
13:34but it should have been very different.
13:36But this is football.
13:37That's the beauty of it, that even you're doing that,
13:40you scratch your head and they get very frustrated
13:42because how the hell we haven't won the game?
13:45Well, there are a few aspects to that.
13:47And can I just ask about a couple of subs you've made in recent games?
13:50You've brought on Ethan and Alex at the same time
13:52against Newcastle and against Inter.
13:55I was just wondering, how do they kind of change
13:57the dynamic together when they come on at the same time?
14:01Well, I think it was a bit different, the state of the two games.
14:06One, because we lost control and Newcastle
14:09and there are certain spaces that I believe
14:11that those two players were ideal.
14:13We never got any momentum with it.
14:15With Inter it was a bit different and a bit better.
14:18But yeah, we need to understand how we can change games.
14:21Last one in the live section.
14:51And for the tactics, have you done anything different
14:56when you were training with the team this week?
15:00I'm sorry, I'm sorry?
15:02When you were training with the team this week,
15:06have you done anything different?
15:08No, I haven't done anything different.
15:10I haven't done anything different.
15:12I haven't done anything different.
15:14I haven't done anything different.
15:16I haven't done anything different.
15:18I haven't done anything different.
15:21We haven't trained this week.
15:23We played in Milan.
15:25We haven't had time to train.
15:27We trained a bit this morning,
15:29but only with four or five players
15:31who didn't play in Milan.
15:33And tomorrow we'll have time to train a bit.
15:35Okay, perfect. Thank you very much.