Mikel Arteta spoke to TNT Sport after Arsenal’s 6-0 win over Lens at the Emirates this evening. Here’s what he had to say.
A good way to get the job done …
Absolutely. Today was the day to get it done. We had the chance to qualify, to be top of the group and I think we’ve done it in a beautiful way.
On the first half being impressive …
Well, it has to be. You know when you score five goals in the first half in the Champions League, it’s a really good sign. The boys deserve the credit. We were really good.
Keeping a clean sheet in the second half being important …
Yes, because you can become really sloppy and there were parts in the second half that you start to see different behaviours, but I think the team is really focused. I think we haven’t conceded a goal in the Champions League at home and scored 12, so it’s good stats.
Scoring early being advantageous …
Yes, because obviously they have to come out and they are a team that wants to be really aggressive in their high press and we used the space. It’s really good, we’re really efficient, we scored some wonderful goals.
Topping the group being important ahead of PSV …
It’s great because the schedule we have at the moment is crazy. We’re already thinking about Wolves now in 72 hours. But it was a big night. Thank you as well to our people, they were incredible.
Saka’s performance on the 5th anniversary of his debut …
Yeah, he was brilliant again. It’s the consistency that he’s shown, you know, what he’s achieved today, what he’s doing. It’s extremely difficult, it’s the way he prepares himself and obviously his quality, and the good teammates that he’s got around him.
Time to enjoy this win?
Yes, but we have to demand to each other more and we know that on Saturday Wolves are coming, they are a really good side and we’re going to have to be really well prepared.
I hope Arteta does the practical thing of not taking any of the XI today to Eindhoven next week. Give chance to 2-3 academy players if necessary. Given the crazy schedule, I hope he does this.
Would love to finally see some academy players this season, think we only had that one 45min appearance by Sagoe so far?
Kiwifruit also deserves to start, must be so weird to be in his position where literally every time he comes on he impresses and yet there are still 5 defenders rightfully ahead of him in the pecking order. I do think he will end up giving Gabriel real competition though, his passing must be so tempting for Arteta
*Kiwior! Bloody autocorrect.
Though honestly I’d rather we start a kiwifruit too than risk our top players
Thought that kiwifruit remark was on purpose and lolled, thought thats an amazing nickname hah
Where can I put my savingson Saka starting?
I would pick a team like: Ramsdale, Cedric, White, Gabriel, Kiwior, Jorginho, Elneny, Havertz, Nelson, Nketiah, Trossard. With the entire academy on the bench.
Would rather give Walters a chance at RB than Cedric. Other than that 👍👍
Every game all the messaging is “we have to demand to each other more”. Phew! Fuck me I am glad I’m not a professional footballer. I understand it drives us to success, but if my boss was like that after I’d done the work equivalent of winning 6-0 in the CL…