You looked quite emotional at the end…
I’m a human being. I have feelings. It was really nice the way they transmitted their love and support to the team, to every player, and obviously to me as well. It’s been a really emotional year and a very special season. The team and our people deserved to end it in a good way so I’m really happy.
It was Xhaka’s last game today…
You know that?
He put out a post…
It’s news for me.
What does post-season look like for Mikel Arteta?
I need to get away. I need to be a few days with my family. Bring emotions and everything down and reflect and think. I need to visualise and feel what is going to be the way and how we’re going to get these players to a different level again. Today I cannot do that because I’m still in the moment.
How emotional was it to feel that connection with fans?
It was one of my big dreams to connect again with the soul of this football club – that’s our people. We have done that and there’s no discussion about it. That makes me really proud and grateful to be part of that journey together. We want to deliver together success, and the destination has to be trophies and success for this club. But we have to enjoy the journey together and especially the company. I said it especially there because we have special people in this club, an incredible group of players and an amazing support. That has to be enjoyed because at the end it’s about winning or not winning the margin, but you cannot underestimate those other things. I think if we don’t do it then we will regret it.
How nice was it for Granit to get the reception that he did?
Well deserved. He’s had an incredible season. I think one year back I spoke to him and I told him ‘there’s a question mark on you, you have to deliver more, you have to be better, I’m going to challenge you to play here.’ He went back and I think he started to train the next day. He came back in preseason four kilos less, fit, with this face *screws his face to show focus* and really willing to do it. He’s been exceptional. He’s been a key part of the team, the success of the team and I’m so happy everybody is appreciating what he’s done.
Is seeing everyone so happy at the end, extra motivation to see even happier scenes next season?
For sure. I think that has to give us more energy and belief that we are all together in this journey. We want to become better and be the best and in order to do that we’re going to have to improve. We know that the level is going to raise again, and we know that we’re going to have to be up for it.
You’ve been using different full backs recently. Is that to prepare for next season?
We had to adapt. We had some important injuries in our backline. We had three players out and we had seven players in the backline this season. That was a concern. There were certain things that I wanted to had adapt because I have been thinking a long time about those options. If not we are very exposed. I’m so happy with what they’ve done.
If you look at the start of the season, how does how you finished compare to your expectations?
We wanted to bring the club back to the Champions League. That was the main target. That was obviously a big demand in the summer before we did certain things and before we managed to keep some of our players. Then the journey started and day by day, you start to have a feeling that the team is moving in the right direction and the energy and spirit is really good. Then you start to generate some belief. We didn’t expect to finish where we are. I think it’s the third best record in the club, with the history of the club, the most wins ever… It’s a lot but it’s still not enough to win it. We understand where the level is. If we want to be the real deal, we can’t be happy with what we have, and we have to be next season much better.
Important to get early transfer business done?
I am really interested in understanding, reflecting and analysing what we have in the house and what resources we have already. How we can improve and how we can maximise and take players to a different level, the ones we haven’t got everything from. Then the bonus will be to make those decisions and improve the team, but as well we don’t want to lose that cohesion that exists around the team and that understanding. Hopefully we make the right decisions.
Some say may never come again but have you laid foundation for what you could do?
I think we have some great foundations, that is true but in sport you have to prove it again. You have to be back in the first day of pre-season and look at each other and I don’t want to see any complacency or, ‘we’ve done really well and its OK’. We are going to have to be much better. It will be a challenging season but a season with plenty of opportunities and one of those opportunities is to be consistent, to do it again and be better. This is what we have to demand from each other.
26 games won, 88 goals scored, records shattered, but where did it tail off… did you need everyone fit?
For sure, if we get to the same stage and in the same position, we need everybody healthy and at their best. That is crucial but there are specific moments that cut certain momentum that we had, that in my opinion was crucial. And maybe it wasn’t enough because still winning some of those games, maybe it wasn’t enough because they could have done 92, or 93 or 95 points. That’s the reality as well. We don;t know but for sure we will take some learnings from that experience.
Some two-goal leads let slip, does that show the fine margins?
Very fine but as well we have won a lot of games by fine margins, we have to be honest and clear with ourselves as well. This is football. In this level, in this league, winning 5-0 doesn’t happen too often for other managers.
Thoughts on changing financial landscape, Man U new owners, other clubs strengthening, but others with problems, how does summer pan out?
Yes a lot of conversations around it. Obviously not my expertise but I understand what is happening. We have to understand the ontext, look at ourselves and within the context what is our best possibility to be what we want to be. That is the only thing we can control and make sure we are smart and we do things the right way.
