After watching his Arsenal side go top of the Premier League with a convincing 3-0 win at Bournemouth, Mikel Arteta faced the Sky Sports cameras.
Here’s what he had to say…
On how close that was to perfect…
It’s still far. We had some very strong periods and were very efficient in the opponent’s half but in the second half we conceded too many chances for Bournemouth to put the ball in our box and then you’re going to suffer. I’m proud because it’s not easy to come here and win 3-0 but there’s still obviously things to improve.
On making a fast start…
We talked about it, we expected it, we saw their game against Villa and how they started the game, we started the game really well, we were active, dominant, we were precise in decision making and obviously the two goals give us a lot of confidence.
On Gabriel Jesus’ contribution to the opener…
Those individual actions make a difference in football and Gabi is doing that week in, week out. He didn’t score today but he was involved in the goals and his contribution to the team was outstanding.
On whether Jesus is surprising him…
He’s 25 years old so he can still improve his level a lot. He’s hungry enough and he’s got huge desire to get better and better and be the best he can be. That’s what he needs to do.
On what feels different this season…
In football, winning makes life completely different. Obviously, we’re on a good run, the atmosphere is good, the unity around the club is incredible and this is really helpful.
On Zinchenko’s performance and role…
We encourage him [to move into midfield] and he’s a midfield player playing as a fullback, it gives us the adaptability and the variety of positions to attack and defend spaces. It’s an extra weapon to have because we are more unpredictable.
On Saliba’s goal…
That’s the last thing I would expect but credit to the boy for the way he’s playing and performing and obviously a great goal scored today.
On whether the pain of last season is driving Arsenal…
I think in life, your experiences make you stronger and make you learn more than from good moments and that moment was very painful and obviously we don’t want to go through that again.
On whether this team is truly his team compared to the first he took to Bournemouth…
That was from the start, the day I decided to manage this football club, they were my players. Obviously we have changed many players and we are trying to bring players and educate players in the way we want to play but from the beginning they were our players.
On further additions to the squad…
We will try until the end, the transfer window is tricky at the moment, we would like to do something else, but let’s see what we can do.
On what is possible for Arsenal this season…
What is possible is to review the game, on Monday be ready to train again with the same desire and attitude that the boys had and focus on Fulham. That’s the only thing we have to do.
Arteta out# on the tiles.
COYG!
Did he give us an update on whether Zinchenko is still on his knees in the Vitality?
Now he’s sitting there on the grass shaking his head.
I think they’ll just move him into the statuary area of the Emirates. No bronze required.
Last time I see an Arsenal team so intelligent, composed and controlled is when Fabregas, Hleb, Diaby etc were running our midfield 14 years ago. They were kicked out of the PL title, and at 2-0 today I started seeing bad tackles from Bournemouth players. I hope this team does our fair share of highlighting bad tackles and be less naive than we were in the past.
They came at us hard from the start but we ran rings around them and they became bewildered.
Scott Parker was saying the first half was unacceptable because they didn’t show effort, but they did. We just ran circles round them.
Brilliant responses from Arteta as usual. We do not look beyond Fulham; it is the job of pundits to try to call May in August. Let them do their work while the team fo theirs.
Brilliant responses: exactly!
Mikel refuses to be drawn into future predictions or dreaming, just focusing on the next match.
If he can transmit this attitude onto his players during the whole season, it could be a very very good one.
“Could be a very very good one” indeed.
I’m in love with this Arsenal team
Absolutely love every aspect of this club, from the fans to the players to the management. Huge potential for this club and I know ALL the other clubs are starting to get worried about playing us.