Mikel Arteta Arsenal
Your reflections on the game
At the end, empty. It was a very emotional game, I’m disappointed that we didn’t get the three points. After all that happened in the game I still believe that we deserved them. We have to look in the mirror. We gave three easy goals away again. When that’s the case it’s really difficult to win this league.
Hard to lift them up now?
They want it so much. What I’ve experienced with the players, the staff, our supporters, it’s incredible. I know how difficult it is. You make a big mistake and 1-0. You make another and 2-0. You’re trying to just play and play and play against a team that is doing what they have to do because of where they are. After the first time they go through the halfway line they score the third one and it is a big question mark, what do you as a team and as individuals. The response of the players, I cannot love them more. It’s just a joy to coach them. It’s just a joy to be part of this club and experience what I have experienced together with the team. At the end the magic moment was there to be taken. We had two big chances at 3-3 to score, today it didn’t happen unfortunately. That’s why we were like that.
Is it a challenge when it means so much for the players to keep their feet on the ground?
They are [on the ground]. We have talked about that. It’s about playing the game not the occasion. We started to play the game and this happens. It happens in football at critical moments. What can you do? Then as well they tried to keep playing, playing, playing and you see what you saw on that pitch, the situations, chances and what they’re able to transmit to the crowd to get where we were. At the end it’s tough because you see them on the floor, you have to leave them. Everybody has to disconnect tonight, digest and start to think ‘what’s the best way to go to Manchester to beat them’?
You’re side have been on a poor run defensively in the past few games. Is that an individual or collective issue?
Today it’s clear.
Which one?
The first one.
You’ve offered different reasons for the past three draws. Do you see any themes across the whole run?
I have to explain the game no? it’s not about we got to Anfield we win, we go to West Ham we win, we go to Southampton we win. At the end when we draw I give you explanations, when we win I try to give you correct explanations. Today it’s clear. You cannot concede the goals the way we did to win games in the Premier League unless we make a miracle like we did in the last 40, or 50 minutes and then you still have the chance to win it.
What mindset does this put you in for City?
Well hopefully it gives more belief because at the end of the day when you are able to do what they’ve done in a difficult context against the odds you have to believe in what you can do. Today it’s tough to think about what happens today because today we are focusing on what just happened and they’ve been through.
Are you encouraging the players to embrace the pressure?
Absolutely. To enjoy it. To enjoy every moment we are in and to play every minute with that emotion and with that purpose, the purpose that I see in every day in what we do.
You must be delighted with Martinelli this season?
Yeah for sure. You’re not in the position we’re in if you don’t have players performing individually consistently throughout the season. He’s been one of them.
Yesterday you said you wanted the team to be boring for everyone. What do they need to get control back to do that?
It was impossible today when after one minute we do what we done. You want to take the game to a lot of periods. Especially after 25 minutes and what happened in the last 30 minutes of the second half. But you have to go through the other (worse) moments and we have to navigate them better than we have done.
Do you have to build the confidence again for City?
I don’t see a lack of confidence. When a team does that normally players start to hide. I played there and players start to hide in certain moments. I didn’t see a single player do that. They were all willing to take risks and initiative. That’s why we got back from 3-1 to 3-3 and should have won the game. The confidence is there. It’s just those moments. At this level you cannot give the goals away that we did. Simple as that.
Has Trossard done enough to start?
He does every day. It’s about how you play the everybody together, with the right balance without losing that structure and flow of the team. When he came on he for sure looked good again.
Was it tough for Vieira tonight?
It was a difficult match for a lot of players I think. For Fabio he hasn’t had enough minutes. He had good periods but as well when the game starts at 1 or 2-0 and things don’t go your way it becomes more difficult. That doesn’t help.
Do you understand why City are now favourites?
I cannot control that.
