Mikel Arteta Arsenal
Is the overriding emotion pride or disappointment after that?
At the moment it’s disappointment because we are out. We could have taken much more from that game and we didn’t. Probably when I watch it back tomorrow the feeling that I have will be that we really competed and we made it really, really difficult for them, but we lacked something to win against a team like this.
Was Partey’s sub an injury?
Yeah he felt something and we didn’t want to take any risks so he could not continue.
Is it a concern that in the big matches your team didn’t take their chances?
We have taken the chances in the big matches this season that’s why we have beaten a lot of the big teams. Unfortunately today we didn’t and we didn’t defend the action with Ake in the box where the left back puts it in the corner with his right foot so it’s not much you can do. It’s not only that, but it’s the composure, especially in the second half when we had them and the momentum and we created three or four good openings there and we have to be more ruthless to put those balls in the net.
Pep said he was impressed by your man to man marking. Will you use that again in the league game?
I think it will be a very different match I’m sure from both sides and with different personnel as well. We came here to win today we couldn’t and the next match will be hopefully different.
Did you go man-to-man because you made five outfield changes and will it be different in the league game?
I don’t know I have a lot of time to try and think and prepare that match and Pep will have. We’ll review the match and try to do what’s best for us and nullify and create issues for the opponent like we always do.
Moises Caicedo has posted on social media saying he wants to leave. Is there anything going on there?
You not that I’m not gonna comment on any players till anything is done and I’ll continue like that sorry.
Do you hope to be busy?
We’ve been pretty active. We have some necessities and if something else is available the club is willing to try to do it when it’s reasonable and hopefully it’s a player that can improve our squad.
Was it a knock to the ribs for Thomas?
Yeah he had some discomfort and it was getting worse and worse. He could not continue and he was not comfortable to continue.
Is there any initial diagnosis?
No initial diagnosis. Tomorrow, or the day after it will have to be an MRI scan and we’ll see what he has.
Does an injury like that show why you want to bring in a midfielder?
Well we have the injury of Mo at the moment and it’s not been possible to get him fit. Sambi’s come in and I think done well. That’s what we have. It’s true Thomas is a big influence and is a big personality and player in our squad and in the second half we didn’t have him.
