Mikel Arteta Arsenal
Is it significant to be top of the league at Christmas with how few games have been played?
It’s great to be where we are and we are enjoying that moment. Now we have a big break and we have to reflect on what we’re doing and be prepared for after the World Cup. Our aim is to play better as a team every day, to have better tools to do what we want to do. I can say it’s been phenomenal to work with these players and staff.
Is it bad to stop when you have momentum?
When a team is in that moment you want to carry on playing of course, but that’s not possible. We have to use that time as best as possible. For those not participating in the World Cup they will have some time off which they fully deserve and the rest can just fulfil a dream that every kid has to have the chance to represent their team in a national cup. It doesn’t get better than that.
How important is it that Odegaard will have time off now?
I don’t have a clue. He’s got two internationals before that so he’s going to be more committed to the national team. After that, we will try to prepare him in the best possible way, but we don’t know. Sometimes when you are in a rhythm and competing it’s much better. The players who are here are going to need to compete and have enough fitness to play in the right way against West Ham. We’ll try to prepare them in the right way.
It was a big call to make him captain and he looks a real leader now
He is in his own way and with his character. He’s a fantastic person and a fantastic footballer and what he’s doing at his age is not easy and we are really happy to have him.
How important is it that Martin is being more decisive in the box?
That’s what you want – for your attacking midfielders to win games not only by assisting but by scoring goals. He’s changed that mentality and he’s practising a lot and he wants to get to his best and we don’t know where his limit is like many of the other kids that we have. That’s what we want – embrace the good moments and support them when they’re not that good.
Is Granit OK?
He’s fine. He wasn’t feeling good and for Granit to put his hand up and say I’m not feeling good (is a lot). We had a few boys with some tummy issues and obviously we cannot change three or four in the first half, but I’m delighted that we adapted to those circumstances and managed to win the game.
Now we’ve reached this break are you able to reflect on how far ahead of expectations you are?
I probably need a week or so to do that. But obviously, nobody expected us to be where we are right now and the number of games that we managed to win. But I’m more focused on our way of playing and our way of living together and the atmosphere that we have in this dressing room and around Colney and the bond that we are creating with our supporters in our stadium and the relationship between every member of the club. That’s much more powerful and now the aim is to focus on playing better every day.
Have they surpassed your own expectations of what this team could do?
Yes, but I take it day by day and not even game by game. I understand that the better we do the daily things and we commit to doing those things better, every individual is going to contribute to the team doing better and that’s what we want to do.
Were the tummy issues overnight?
Not overnight. I think it was after the pre-match meal. I didn’t even know about it, but the doc was trying to get some players sorted because they weren’t feeling good.
What was the meal?
I don’t have any food. On matchday, I don’t eat a lot.
Did you watch the City game?
Yes we watched it on the bus altogether. Like we normally do with many other games.
What was the reaction like to Toney’s goal?
As you can imagine.
Could that have been a distraction with City losing?
Yeah but that’s the way that you live this league and that’s the beauty. You start to do that on the second game of the season because the competition is so big that you’re always looking at other opponents. It’s something that every team does. When I was in other team we used to do it as a player or as a coach. It’s natural, but then you have to focus on your own performance and winning the game. This week I think that was very tricky because too many things around the World Cup and certain individuals. Thank God the boys did what they had to do.
