Mikel Arteta Arsenal
Did the missed opportunities decide the game?
Absolutely. I don’t think the result probably reflects the performance of the team. But from box to box in many moments we were the better team and we did everything that we planned. The way the boys performed showed their courage to play the way we wanted to play, the intensity, the understanding of the game, they really raised their level today. But unfortunately these games are won in the boxes and that was critical difference today not to get anything out of this game, unfortunately.
Does the result show the gap between them and you?
It was the difference today. I don’t think there was any other difference in the game apart from that. I think we have closed that gap a lot but it wasn’t enough because when we opened the door they went through it and scored two goals. I’m not happy with the goals we conceded but it’s part of the game and when you have the chances against them you have to hurt them and get something out of that.
Was Ramsdale disappointed with the first goal?
He will be, but this is part of the game. Every time he’s saved us and every time he’s been phenomenal and today he had really good moments to do what we wanted to in this game against Liverpool, but unfortunately we conceded two goals that were not at our level.
What was the reaction like in the dressing room? They can’t afford to be too down?
They were because they know how well they played. Now we lost two games to [Manchester] City and Liverpool when you are there toe-to-toe and you deserve much more than we got from the results but the reality is that we didn’t. The reality is in those boxes that is difference, although against City that was more about the discipline. Those boxes makes the difference against those top teams. When you are able to take the game to the level, which is already very difficult, still there are going to be details that they are going to manage and try and today they certainly did probably in the period where we were most likely to score the first goal.
Will you have to pick them up now?
Yes, because every time after a defeat they are hurting and we didn’t want to disturb the good run they are in. But we said, this is not going to be like this until the end of the season and now it’s about how we’re going to react.
You must have been very impressed with how Martinelli played?
I’m very pleased how the team has performed again and the courage and how far they’ve taken the game. I understand, because I’ve been there, how difficult it is to play against this incredible team because they dominate every aspect of the game and how they’ve done it. How we exposed them and how we created issues, how we dominate, the courage that we showed to play with the ball the way they’ve done. It’s not easy at all guys, believe me.
You’ve got a very tight turnaround now to Aston Villa
Thank you so much to the Premier League to do that. And they’ve done it again for when we have to play Chelsea and Manchester United. So if they want to give them any advantage I say today, thank you so much for doing that.
Will the players be at full fitness?
Yes 100% *bangs table* don’t worry on Saturday the players will be there with energy. They will sleep, eat well. But thank you so much to the Premier League for putting the fixtures like this. Very, very helpful.
Did you make an appeal to the Premier League over the Chelsea game?
Yes, absolutely, because it’s not fair what they’ve done.
And they just weren’t for changing?
No it’s always BT, it’s Sky, it’s this it’s that, but the one that is affected it’s Arsenal and the I only thing I care about and we care about is Arsenal and for Arsenal, it’s not fair.
