Every word from Mikel Arteta’s post-match press conference as Arsenal are beaten by Manchester City in the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta faced the press at the Etihad Stadium after his Arsenal side were narrowly beaten by Manchester City to set up the closest of Premier League title races with five games remaining. There were some huge chances for both teams, and it was one of those matches that could have easily fallen either way on the day.
The Gunners boss has come in for some scrutiny regarding the decision to change Eberechi Eze on the day, leaving Martin Odegaard on the pitch. Yet plenty of positive sentiment was there, with many commentators assured that Arsenal did indeed play well and were unfortunate not to come away with more.
The result means that City can go top in midweek if they manage to win their game by two or more goals away to Burnley. The league is so close, it seems it will be a straight shootout for the win, unless someone slips.
Here is every word from Mikel Arteta’s press conference:
A very disappointing result but a very strong performance from your team compared to some others. How does that make you feel?
Very upset with the result obviously. We came here to win the game. I think the message was clear from three days before. We prepared to do that, to take the game to the areas that we believe we could win it. We certainly done that, even though we started the game with a goal down and psychologically we had to play with that. We’ve done it. So we proved that we are there. But the reality is in the two boxes today was a difference and that’s what decided the game.
That’s what you think was the difference between the two sides, the finishing in the boxes?
Yes, the styles have been different for the profile of players that they have. We have available as well in certain areas but the difference was 100 per cent there.
Five wins from five and it remains as in your hands as it is City’s. When you see a performance like this do you believe your team can go and win out in the remainder of the season?
I believe today, I believe on Wednesday a week ago because I see them every day and I know the level that we have. But today if they need to be more convinced, I think they are now more convinced. They were talking about it in the dressing room. It’s a new league now. They were a game in hand. We have three points of advantage and five games to play. So everything is still to play for. So we know how much we’ve won it and we’re not going to stop and we’re going to go again, that’s for sure.
The result creates this strange scenario where the goal difference is really key. So in the future games coming up it’s not just about winning but winning well in games?
Yes, let’s see what happens. It’s the Premier League. First of all, to win a game in this league is extremely tough. I mean look at the fixtures that we both have. It’s going to be tough for both of them. If not we would have already 80 points or 85 points like happened in other seasons, it is not the case. So we will prepare game by game and learn from what happened today and do better.
What can you do in the attacking box to make a difference? How can you make the players more ruthless when those chances come?
That’s really difficult. I mean the margins are… I mean we hit the post and I just look at the images. It’s incredible how the ball doesn’t go in. So there is an element of luck. There is an element there of timing, of execution. It’s a lot of things that have to be your way. They didn’t go our way, and we have to recognise that at the end, winning and not winning is going to come down to these moments. And there are certain individual moments that you need in order to achieve what we want. That’s for sure.
You mentioned something about the profile of the players in both boxes. Are you talking about Haaland and Cherki? Or is it something…
No, in general in the team. I mean every team has an identity because of the players and the manners that they have. And especially when you play against this opponent, you have to be very clear what you have to do and what you want to play the game. And I think that we’ve done that really, really well.
Can you tell us what the mood in the dressing room is like and what sort of reaction you expect to see next week?
Obviously, they were very disappointed not to get a result from the game in the manner that it happened. That’s the feeling, immediately you could tell that they were talking about, and they said okay, we lost an opportunity today, but we have the biggest one now in the next five games, so let’s do it.
I was just sort of following on from that. Will it be a challenge to pick the players up do you think?
No. I mean if I have to pick the players to win the Premier League with five games to go in our hands and be in the final of the Champions League, I think I should be at home. So it’s not the case. It’s not needed. It’s never been needed, even in difficult moments. So we will again, that’s for sure.
