Mikel Arteta spoke to BT Sports after the 3-1 win over Man Utd at the Emirates this afternoon.
Here’s what he had to say.
A big victory, thoughts on the performance …
A big performance in a game that had everything. We had moments where we showed real quality, were a threat, where we scored three goals, a game where we had chances, where we had to suffer, a game where at moments we were a bit lost and lacking energy and they were on top.
A game where we had luck when we needed luck, which is really important in this game. But overall extremely happy, this was a massive game for us, and I can enjoy it now!
Could have gone either way, but Xhaka’s goal decided it …
Yeah, if you had to write the story of the game and said ‘Granit is going to score from there’ probably you wouldn’t do it but that’s the beauty of this game. It’s always tough, they have some exceptional players and you are always like this [crosses fingers] when they have the ball in the final third. You know something can happen, happy to win again.
Nuno’s first Arsenal goal, comes from pushing full-backs forward …
Yes, but also the way he played as well. Then he had a few difficulties in the second half, but we helped him when we changed shape. They are really young, you can sense it at some stages in games that we have to make other decisions. We are trying just to play and run forward, and overall really happy.
VAR on the second goal, did you have doubt?
No doubt. I thought if it’s not a goal it’s a penalty, but the play as well to get out from the back, the way we played, it was a shame it didn’t end up as a goal but Bukayo showed really composure again to score the penalty.
Saka injury?
Yeah, we have four or five players with difficulties to start the match. He was one, Ben was another, and Granit with an issue in his eye, Eddie who hasn’t played many minutes now three days later has to play. The boys are doing everything they can to be on that field and I feel lucky.
Been a good week. Advantage Arsenal?
This is what we wanted. I said this is going to be a rollercoaster, the fact that you win or lose in this league by small margins. Today things went in our favour and we’re really happy with that.
Tactics spot on against Chelsea and United. Thanks Mikel.
Really? I feel like Arteta would like games to be far tighter than that.
We really rode our luck today. A lot of decisions went our way and I think United were probably the better side. Which of course makes it all the funnier.
Both games utter, utter chaos. Our defence really needs to take a breath and regroup before next weekend.
Agree with you on this we did get very very lucky at times. Hopefully Tomi comes back to settle us a bit more down that right hand side. Although credit to Arteta for sticking with Elneny and shifting to a back 4 for the first 75mins or so
Yeah, I was pulling my hair out first half. It was really poor from our back five. We seemed slightly more disciplined in the second half but a lot of that was to do with Ramsdale going long more often.
Hey, no point quibbling about the performance at this end of the season. Three points is all that matters. But the lackadaisical passing at the back needs to stop, before I actually have a cardiac arrest.
Both games were chaotic due to individual defensive errors but doesn’t change the fact Mikel’s tactics, team selection, in-game changes, and substitutions were all on point in both games.
What I liked most is that we didn’t sit back and try to get to half-time at 0-0 in either game.
Goals scored today after 3 and 32 minutes, against Chelsea at 13 and 27 minutes.
Yeah, you’re probably right. Tactics and individual errors are two different things.
I just know how structured Arteta’s philosophy is so those two games must’ve been absolute rollercoasters for the poor guy.
I think gooners, Arseblog (IfthatwasXhaka mantra) and MA have done great with the poor officiating against us campaign. I think it’s yielding results, at least for a few games now. We have been cheated by officials for far too long. It’s about time we play games against 11 and not 12.
Well done boys! One thing I noticed is the blatant media bias (always in favour of Utd in any game but ultimately always against Arsenal, no matter who we face). Highlighted case in point, when Ronaldo scored, wild loud voices on thr mic… Xhaka scores the third and best goal of the game…. Commentators stunned into silence… They don’t even try to hide it. Even both penalty decisions, you could hear the way they wanted the pen for Utd and couldn’t hide the opposite for our penalty. Anyway I don’t mind a roller coaster as long as at the end… Read more »
What a week!
Big big win. Hopefully Saka’s injury isn’t too bad and we can integrate Tomi back in nicely for the tail-end of the season. I don’t think my blood pressure can deal with both Nuno and Cedric
Who would have believed we’d get 6 points from Chelsea and United, scoring 7 goals in the process!
Great effort from the boys.
Our only drawback is the LFB; Arteta needs to find solution to Tavares: the guy breeds panic.
Beyond that, we have a good chance to grab top 4.
No one after the last 3 games debacle
Maybe the issue with Granit’s eye improved his aim?
I still think arteta is getting the tactics right by chance. Out of 38 games, 2 or 3 should work. Beating chelsea and utd is great, but we should not forget that it was 0 from the previous 3 games with average teams and no goals.
Let’s see if he makes top 4.
COYG
Oh fuck off you misery, if you can’t be happy after a win against Man Ure you’re either not an Arsenal fan or you need help with your mental health. That was a gutsy performance from a young team carrying knocks and injuries, with excellent leadership from our two midfield veterans and excellent tactics from the manager. Well done Arsenal, well done Granit and Mo, well done Mikel and the coaching staff, well done those fans who supported from the off, now lets use the week ahead to recover well for West Ham. We can do this, but whatever happens,… Read more »
I can’t agree any less. Too many plastic fans producing Negative energy.
Trusting the process. COYG ✊👊
Pre-season, most of us would have been happy with Europa league and clear signs of improvement.
Instead were in the driving seat for 4th place and thinking about applying the finishing touches to the squad for next season.
The process is a year ahead of schedule
You all talk about luck and decisions , how does Bruno Fernandez stay on the pitch not just todays game but also against Liverpooh . Can you think what the decision would have been if Granite Xhaka committed those two disgusting fouls .
I would have preferred we had banked the points against Crystal Palace, Brighton and Soton. We would have been clear by now instead of heart in mouth stuff. We are showing some fight over these recent results that said which is kudos to the team and gaffer. Worth noting Spurts look lame this game and still have to play Liverpool in addition to us. We are on for a tough run still with the derby but also Hammers, a rejuvenated aBarcodes and as we flatter to deceive, even the lesser upcoming opponents in Leeds and Everton no rubber stamp. Good… Read more »