#PLStories- Mikel Arteta on Saliba’s goal, Jesus’ display, Pepe’s future and transfers #ARSENALFC
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Mikel Arteta Arsenal
You must be pleased with that?
I am very happy. It’s really difficult to come here and win 3-0. Credit to the boys for the way we played. It’s not easy and we have good proof from when they played Villa how different the game was and how different the game became in the second half. Really pleased and at the same we have to look out ourselves and there are many areas where we can get better.
Does it mean anything being top of the table?
No. It’s just three games, it doesn’t mean anything. What it means is the team is playing really well, we won three games, we’re scoring goals, we’re keeping clean sheets, the team is playing and performing well, it’s competing really well. But it’s about Monday and getting better at other things that we have to do better and focus on Fulham.
When we spoke about Granit Xhaka playing a bit higher at the end of last season, you said it wasn’t a totally comfortable decision to make. After a few months is that a role you’re more comfortable seeing him play in?
The way I want to play, there are certain spaces that have to be occupied at all times. As you can see, there is a lot of rotation in that unit with Alex (Zinchenko), (Gabriel) Martinelli and him (Xhaka), but he has the ability and capacity to do that. He arrived in some good positions again today. It’s the evolution of a player.
How big a difference does Zinchenko make coming into that unit?
He gives us the flexibility to attack in different ways in relation to what the opponent wants to do (and) prevent and the spaces we want to exploit. It’s something good to have in the team.
What does Gabriel Jesus bring to the rest of the team?
New confidence, spark, and that winning mentality that he has and the way he competes for every ball and the way he transmits his energy and his quality to the rest of the team. You can see that in the way he was involved today. He didn’t score, he got a goal disallowed unfortunately, but he was in every action.
Will he keep everyone’s feet on the ground?
Yes, because he knows how hard it is to win in football. He’s still young but he’s experienced it and I think he’s a really good role model for the rest of the boys.
It looked like everyone was surprised by Saliba’s goal
We’ve been training that all week!
Were you surprised by it?
Very much. Individual talent, a moment of quality and it was great. So happy for the boy.
Was Zinchenko telling him not to shoot?
Probably. Probably I would have said ‘don’t shoot with your left from there’, but it’s better to stay mute.
Does the way you’ve started the season change the way you approach the transfer window because you’re not reacting to a bad start?
We don’t like reacting obviously, we want to get the players that we believe will make a big impact in the team. If we can do that, we will try to do that. If we cannot, we will stay with the players we have.
The fact you’ve started so well means there’s less fan pressure now
No it doesn’t change, but we know as well where we are short, where we have to add more firepower. And if we can do it, we will do it.
As well as the goal, Saliba didn’t misplace a pass. It’s an incredible overall performance isn’t it?
And clean sheet. The most important thing. For a defender, defend, keep a clean sheet. The most important thing to do is to keep that clean sheet every game.
Will you be singing that song all the way home?
The boys were singing it in the dressing room. It’s a good song to be fair.
Nicolas Pepe was left out today. Is a move to Nice getting close?
There were a few players that we have to leave out of the squad, unfortunately. It’s painful but we try to bring the team and the squad that is in the best condition to give us the best chance to win the game.
How close is he to going to Nice?
We don’t talk about individuals.
Last time you were here it was your first game. Does it feel like this shows how much things have changed?
It takes time to get something. The players that we have today and the players that we had at the time it’s been a massive, massive change. I’m happy that everybody feels more attached to the club and to the team through the way we are playing and we are winning football matches.
Has it taken longer than you were expecting?
I’ll keep that to myself.
Three different players had the armband (Odegaard, Xhaka, Jesus). What do you see in each of them?
They are the leaders that I decided to name captains and then there are other leaders who the team decided to be the leadership team. I’m delighted. We have very different characters with very different ways of being and thinking, but I think they represent the club in a really good way.
Arteta finishes by saying
I would like to dedicate this victory to Steve Braddock. He was our groundsman and someone who was really loved at the football club. He will be missed, so I want to send a big hug and nice words to all his family and thank you for what he did because he left a big legacy that will be really difficult to fulfil.
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