Does that feel like a point gained or two dropped?
Mikel Arteta said “Well, I thought it was a fair result. I think both managers probably think that we should have won it. I think it was a big game. I think we played face to face against each other. I think both teams wanted to win it. None of us scored a goal so it’s impossible to win. The fact that we had three of our best players out probably has an impact. But I’m really happy with the players who played today. How we tried, but most importantly in the second half we were so dominant and created some big chances to win.”
Can you clarify the situation with Auba and why he is in quarantine?Mikel Arteta said “We have to follow the rules and the protocols right now. And the protocols says that he cannot be involved at the moment. We have to respect that and the doctor is managing the situation currently.”
Is that because he’s been in a particular country or because he’s been exposed to COVID?
Mikel Arteta said “It’s because he had a family issue that he had to attend to. And these are the consequences to that moment.”
Why do you feel that you improved so much in the second half?
Mikel Arteta said “Well, we made some changes with a few things that we had to tweak. Be much more efficient, be much closer to them and be more effective in our high press so we could regain the ball. And then we had a better structure to attack, we were more of a threat and we stopped basically giving the ball back to the opponent when we won it and we had so many spaces to run which is something that against United that can punish you. In the first half we didn’t do that well enough.”
How pleased were you with Emile Smith Rowe’s contribution?
Mikel Arteta said “Yes. I think he played a really good game. In the first half when got involved I think he made a real difference. I think he increases the pace and the rhythm of the team when he’s around the ball. And defensively I think he’s working so hard as well so overall again I think he had a really strong performance. Emile Smith Rowe pressures Harry Maguire for Arsenal against Manchester United”
There have been various rumours. Mustafi has been linked to Liverpool. Anything happening with potential outgoings like Nelson, Maitland-Niles, Willock and Chambers?
Mikel Arteta said “Well, there are some conversations at the moment going on. I spoke with all of the players about their own situation because they are all aware of the minutes that they are playing and they want to improve their situation. I am willing to help them. Some of them the club is willing to help them and we will try to find a solution at the end. But I don’t know whether it’s going to be the case or not.”
David Luiz said after the game you’re taking a real team atmosphere where can that take you?
Mikel Arteta said “Well, I don’t know but we’re gonna give it a real go. I think the team is in a really good moment. I think we are moving in the right direction. All the players are so willing to contribute to the team, to contribute to the project that we have in place, and they seem excited. So when that’s the case I have to push them inch by inch and make them believe that we can finish the season in a really strong way.”
Mikel Arteta said “Yes because you have to put your body on the line. And when you have to defend your box you have to be ruthless, you have to be even more aggressive when you are attacking the opponents one because every goal it makes a huge impact on the results. I think in those situations everybody is defending those situations with their lives, which is what I ask them to do. And when that’s the case you are obviously harder to beat and you get the amount of clean sheets that we are getting at the moment.”
How many more days of quarantine does he have left?
Mikel Arteta said “I don’t know. I cannot give you an exact answer. We are working with the Premier League and the government about it. And we’ll see what they say. But it’s a process at the moment.”
But it’s right to say he’s abroad and that’s why he’s in quarantine?
Mikel Arteta said “He’s been looking after his family and now he’s in quarantine.”
