Mikel Arteta spoke to TNT Sports after Arsenal’s 2-1 North London derby win this evening. Here’s what he had to say.
On the result …
I think the boys were outstanding today. We played less than 72 hours ago, 120 minutes in a competition that we are out of and psychologically it’s not easy, but the way we performed and played today I think was exceptional.
On protecting a one goal lead …
I think we made it harder for ourselves because I think we deserved to score at least one or two more but yeah we have to suffer, we have the capacity to do that as well but the attitude for me was outstanding, the way they played, the focus that they played, the intensity, it was really good.
What foundation does this win give you?
Nothing, tomorrow and the next game, because we play every three days so the foundation of the last game is that we were incredibly good against United and we ended up losing the game somehow. It’s about the next day, today we wanted to play, so enjoy it now for a few hours and then it’s Villa.
Did it restore confidence?
My confidence comes seeing them every single day and the way they perform, it’s not about the results. If our result is going to take my confidence out or in, then we shouldn’t be doing this.
Did you worry after going a goal behind?
We cannot feel sorry for ourselves, what we can control is performance and performance is there and it’s been there constantly. The result, this is unfortunately football, it’s so volatile and what you deserve is occasionally get it most of the time, long term, medium term I’m sure we will do and today they’ve done it again.
Are you looking for a signing after the Gabriel Jesus injury?
Yes for sure because we lost two players, big players. Bukayo could be out for up to three months, so that’s a long time and Gabi that’s going to be out for a long, long time.
We’re going to try for sure. I mean we are actively looking. I think we have lost two very, very important players, we have 14 players in the squad and we play every three days, so we will try but let’s see what we can get.
On Myles Lewis-Skelly…
He was phenomenal today. He’s a real personality you know, he has so much drive and he has an attitude about him, but you have to play against Kulusevski and Johnson here, it’s not easy, the way he handled the situation and the occasion as well, it was tough I think.
So.. we might actually sign someone!
I watched the interview and arteta pulled no punches on the transfer window – we’re gonna make signings, and I think we’ll probably try and shift a couple to finance it
Based on MLS’s performance tonight, I think we could shift a few left backs and never notice.
No, don’t jinx him like that! Remember he’s an arsenal left back, at any given time four of them could be injured!
Good point. I forgot being a left back for Arsenal is like being a drummer for Spinal Tap.
Bergvall trying to dislocate Lewis-Skelly’s shoulder apropos of nothing and ending up on the ground clutching his leg after having hurt himself in the process is the perfect metaphor for Spurs.
🤣
That was so weaselly what he did. Literally attempted to hurt Lewis-Skelly jerking his arm suddenly then acted like he was the one who was assaulted going down clutching his leg. Just vile.
Seems a decent player, but that was embarrassing!
Bergvall was quite amusing – an annoying little tit who flitted about going round in circles like a demented Spunt.
Myles Lewis Skelly was phenomenal tonight. What a baller and doesn’t take any crap from Shite FC. Love this kid.
Only 14??? 🤔
I thought Lewis-Skelly was magnificent. His composure is unreal. Nothing fazes him. I loved his response to the bizarre yellow he received after being swarmed and pushed by the liquid trots when going off – geed up the crowd and got some of the heartiest cheers of the night!
Stepped up to that Turd Richarlison, got a weird yellow then went and hyped up the crowd on the way off the field. That put such a huge grin on my face.
I thought at the time the yellow was coming out for the Spuds that were manhandling MLS as he went off.
Skelly is fully Red-Blooded. We’ve got something in there. Thumbs up man!
Well done Arteta and the team! Nothing like a NLD win to settle the ship. If we beat villa at the weekend, it will be a fantastic response to the two cup results last week! COYG