Mikel Arteta says players are perfectly entitled to be unhappy if they’re left out of the starting line-up, but insists they have to understand his decisions are made for the benefit of the team.
The Arsenal boss was asked about the impact of Gabriel Jesus in midweek who, according to the reporter in question, looked angry and ready to prove his manager wrong.
In response, the Spaniard said, “They can be angry at me, that’s fine, but they have to make it professional, not personal, because it’s my role to make those decisions.
“Gabi had exactly the mindset that you ask him because I could see in his eyes that he was ready to make an impact.
“He loves the competition and I think he was tremendous when he came on on Tuesday.”
He also made it clear that his job demands results, and when he selects his starting XI, it’s about who he thinks is best capable of helping the team to win.
“What I want is players that are very happy to come on the field to make an impact. I want players that if they are unhappy to talk to me and understand why and try to explain it.
“But these relationships are always the same. They have to have that will to play and they can’t be unhappy on matchday. It’s not the moment to be unhappy.
“It’s not the person I’m putting on the bench, it’s the player.”
And ahead of tomorrow’s crucial Premier League clash with Aston Villa, Arteta was asked if he was worried by the defensive lapses against Bayern Munich which cost the Gunners two goals, and which might have an impact on confidence.
“It does obviously when we concede the two goals the way we have done, it does affect you,” he said.
“But it’s what you do afterwards. I think the players were exceptional at that because any other team collapses and we didn’t and we were stayed in the game.
“We were focused and we made some changes which had an impact, we got the draw and we have learned a lot.
“So it was a great experience to have.”
if at all he would convert the anger into goals. love him alot but he tends to play wide away from goal. like the way he dribbles but if he could score more
There have been too many times since he’s come back that he passes the ball instead of taking the shot – is it just confidence!?!
But that assist against Bayern was superb, one of those moments of magic needed to make the difference against great teams. That reminded me of his value to this squad, we just need to stop thinking of him as a 9.
How that talk went:
Jesus: Why aren’t I starting!?
Arteta: ‘Cos your knee’s fucked.
Jesus: Ah. Right. I’d forgotten that.
Think this is a really fascinating piece, showing some of the thoughtfulness Miki puts in to care for his players. Which invturn allows him to be ruthless on his selections.