Mikel Arteta spoke to TNT Sports after tonight’s 3-0 win over Monaco in the Champions League. Here’s what he had to say.
On the performance overall …
Well, I’m very happy with this, scoring three goals, keeping a clean sheet and winning the game. I’m extremely happy. We started the game very well, the first half we should have been 3-4 up at least, and then we could have put the game to bed, we didn’t.
And in the Champions League we’re going to have difficult moments, and we had for a period of time, probably longer than expected because we weren’t precise enough. We didn’t adjust the press well enough and we suffered. But then with the second goal the game was in control and I’m happy to have the three points.
On scoring from ‘open play’ …
Yeah, very good, especially because they were very different goals, the three of them, and that’s what we want from every phase of play, to be a threat. As I said, we could have scored many more in open play, as you call it.
For me it’s not open play or set-pieces, it’s all part of the game. But anyway, very happy.
On making changes in the second half …
Yeah, we have to, but a word for Myles, 18 years old, to make his debut in the Champions League. It’s a great highlight of the game.
And then, as you mentioned, we have some issues. They put six players inside, only the full-backs giving the width.They have a lot of rotation, it’s difficult to manage that. But I think the subs helped us. They give us energy, give us a little bit more structure with the ball and without the ball.
Everybody is important. Every two/three days it’s impossible to maintain the same players.
On Lewis-Skelly coming through the ranks and showing his quality …
I think what I like about him is the courage.The positions he takes, how he penetrates with the ball. He’s one of our own and he’s 18 years old. He has a bright future ahead of him.
As a manager, as a club, I think we have to be very pleased to see those young players coming through. Because it’s a nice feeling to be able to help somebody change his life.
On working with Bukayo Saka…
What he’s already done in the game is incredible. I think his goal involvement in the season in 21 matches is 20 or something ridiculous like this. But that’s him. A very humble, great guy to have around the place.
He’s so humble. And he just keeps producing. He’s a special person. Again, he’s great to have around the team. I think in his role, his leadership is increasing. With the young kids, he’s amazing. With the seniors, he’s amazing. He’s loved by everybody, you can tell that. And when he’s on that pitch, he’s making a difference for us.
good result against a decent team. Got the subs on well and Saka was immense again
Myles and Bukayo are both one of our own! Great players despite their youth!
Every time MLS plays you totally forget he’s an academy graduate. You trust him. He doesn’t look nervous. He looks assured and like he belongs.
And we’ve only ever seen him play “out of position”. I may be wrong, but he played pretty much solely as a CM at youth level, right?
I think he could be the one who shines while our eye is diverted by another generational talent. Sort of like when we were all watching Hoffenheim games to see Reiss Nelson and suddenly this plucky little number 77 started playing for us.
Might be wrong but I think he started getting looks as an inverting full back at youth level the second half of last season, and it gradually started becoming apparent that’s where Arteta sees him. So it’s almost less impressive that he has all of those creative skills as the fact he’s defending and holding the line so competently, it’s less flashy than Nwaneri for sure but for me even more impressive because the risk of mistakes at his position is so much higher, especially playing it that way. You won’t see a lot of 18 year olds trusted to… Read more »
You remind me of the lad in game of thrones that let Theon keep on talking.
Plucky lil number 87 as I remember it.
Saka is loved by everyone, including me. He’s like a dream