After we netted five times against Leeds United to kick-start our home campaign with a bang, Mikel Arteta headed to the Emirates Stadium press room to tackle questions from the media.
He was asked about our impressive display, the injuries to Bukayo Saka and Martin Odeegard, Max Dowman becoming the third-youngest player in Premier League history and much more.
Here is everything he had to say:
on the way we won our first game at home:
It’s exactly how we wanted to start the first game, we won in a really convincing way. You could sense something, especially in the atmosphere before the match. I think we have to be very proud of the way we played, the way we dominated the game, not conceding any shots almost, and the clean sheet. On top of that, a lot of good moments. Viktor scoring his first two goals for the club, I’m thrilled and delighted for Jurrien after that long time after injuring his ankle and the hours that he’s put in with all the physios and the medical department to score two goals at Emirates Stadium, very special. Mosquera making his debut as well for the club, and then one of the highlights, without any question of a doubt, Max coming in at 15 and making his debut and winning a penalty. So very proud.
on the team adapting to Gyokeres’ style:
That will help us to evolve and find other ways of attacking teams and connecting with each other. It’s clear where Viktor is really dangerous, but he’s a superpower and let’s put him as much as possible in those kinds of scenarios because something good will happen.
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on the energy from our supporters:
That’s what we need, going to a new level and challenging again for the prizes that we want to do, that is going to require something else. Today I saw something else in the stadium. It was another enthusiasm, positivity, the way they lived the game. I loved it and hopefully we give them a lot of reason to continue like that.
on Odegaard and Saka’s injuries:
That’s the negatives of the day. Martin felt something in his shoulder when he landed. We don’t know, we’ll have to scan him tomorrow and understand a bit better. And Bukayo, while he was carrying the ball, wrestling with the defender, he felt something in his hamstring. Let’s see, I think it’s the other one, it’s not the same one as the previous injury. We’ve been two weeks and we’ve already lost Kai, Martin and Bukayo, so it tells you how well-equipped you have to be in this league to manage and to maintain the level that we want.
on if Saka’s injury is serious:
I don’t know, he felt something while he was sprinting. That’s never a good sign. We’ll have to wait until tomorrow, speak to the doctors and understand better what he’s done. But he’s had his injuries before, he knows exactly the feeling of that, so let’s wait.
on the importance of depth in the team:
That’s what we need. I think the other way is not realistic to survive at the levels that we want for 10 months because none of the other top teams in the league do it. So we’re going to be different. They still have even bigger squads than we have. So that’s the minimum that we can have to compete and be able to do what we want.
on bringing in Eze to the club:
One of the fastest transfers, I would say, and one of the most unexpected. But he showed an incredible determination. Starting from ownership, starting from Josh and then all the boards to recognise that we had to act. It was our choice, obviously, but it was a serious situation and that shows the level of determination and how much we want to take this club to a different level. So, delighted to have him. The talent is unquestionable, he’s done it in this league. The personality, unbelievable. I’ve been very, very… not surprised, but I would say gladly witnessing everything that he’s about and his family as well. So they have the right feelings for this club and you can tell that what happened to him on that pitch means the world to him.
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on presenting Eze to the stadium before the match:
I agreed, but I was getting no news today on the phone, so I thought it wasn’t happening. But at the last minute, again, they managed to pull it off. So well done to everybody who was involved in that deal because I think it started to create some flame, some fire in the stadium. That was great to witness.
on Dowman stepping up to the Premier League:
This is what we see every single day in training, and I think we just gathered information about how he handles certain situations in terms of training, being in the squad and not being selected afterwards in Manchester, coming on the bench and feeling ready. But again, a big compliment to his family as well. I think there is a kid with a level of maturity, stability and hunger that is very difficult to see. And obviously to Per, the academy, all the coaches and everyone who has been involved in that journey, because there is a kid here that has zero hesitation. He’s so convinced that he can go at 15 and deliver that, which I have never witnessed in my life. And for us, it brings joy, it brings emotion and something else that makes our jobs so great.
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on not having to be reliant on certain players:
You just have to see the evolution and the way the team played, the amount of minutes that team played in 2023/24. You could name the team starting in 2011. Last year it was a bit different because of the amount of injuries we had as well, and the start has not been great in that sense, but we are much more equipped without a doubt. It’s necessary if you want to compete at this level and be very dominant, there is no other option.
on his assessment about Leeds United:
I’m very complimentary of them. I spoke to them and what I love is they’re going to maintain that philosophy, that way of playing on Monday [against Everton]. They are super impressive. We all know the stadium and the people that they have right behind them.
on what makes Eze an exciting addition to the team:
I think he has the capacity to create these magic moments. He can do it from different positions, different situations. He’s got that flair, he’s got that charisma as well about him that is very contagious, and let’s use it in the right way. He can play different positions, we know he can play as an attacking midfielder, right or left, he doesn’t care. He plays shifted off the left as well. He’s very comfortable there. We’ll gather information again the moment he’s on that pitch and starts to link and feel a connection with people. I’m sure we will find the right place for him.
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