In the second half of his pre-Sp*rs press conference, Mikel Arteta touched on the importance of the home fans creating a big atmosphere, the positives of facing so much adversity this season, the opportunity at Raheem Sterling’s feet and how he picks up Kai Havertz after a tough week.
Here’s what he had to say…
On former teammates who used to reinforce the importance of the North London derby…
A player in particular, I cannot remember. I remember having a few conversations with Jack [Wilshere] about it, because Jack was very passionate that we all know about the rivalry. And he made it very public as well a few times, so that was all the time very, very viral! So, that probably is something that has stuck in my head from a player’s perspective.
On how he managed to change the mood this time last year and if he can do it again….
I think it is a bit different, because from the start of the season already we had to deal with quite a lot of things, which again I think is going to, and it is helping the team a lot to get what we want to get, to have those kind of experiences, and having the ability to adapt and confront the situation in the manner the team is doing again. But yeah, about the results, it is not what we want for sure, but the manner that they are occurring as well is very specific and especially very unusual.
On the team showing defiance this season…
For example, in the Premier League, we are in the same situation as we were last year (40 points after 20 games), obviously we are in a much better place in terms of the league table (3rd vs 4th), that tells you about the difficulty and the competitiveness of the league. But as well we have very, very different circumstances in terms of managing the situation in the squad, and all the stuff that happened to last season, so that is I think a big positive from the team.
On fans expecting Arsenal to accelerate summer plans given the injuries to Saka and Jesus…
Yeah, that is a great point, obviously, we are losing two very creative, very important, very unpredictable players for us, so that has an impact in the team, that is for sure. So that is what we have said, but not for now, it is from the start of the window and before the window [we start planning]. We are actively looking at what we can do to plan and to improve the squad and impact the squad if we can. Obviously, the news of Gabby [ACL surgery], if confirmed [it was!], takes the scenario to another dimension as well, because the time frame [for recovery] will be longer.
On Sterling’s performance against United and the opportunity he now has to make a mark…
Yeah, I was really happy with the way that he came in. Since he had again that injury and came back, you could see that he was going to give us something important and great, because we need him. You can see what he can bring, he is used to playing in this kind of context as well, and the demands that we have every three days, so great to have him.
On it being a shame both sides will be missing big players for the North London derby…
I imagine that externally they want to see everybody available and going toe-to-toe with the best players, but I think anyway it’s going to be a tough match.
On the NLD being an opportunity for players to earn legendary status…
Yes, we know the meaning and the emotion related to that, so anything that is about performing and impacting the game in a manner that is going to help you to win it, the consequences are beautiful.
On Ethan Nwaneri…
He’s good, he’s started to do some work on the pitch already, so he’s evolving really well. He’s young, he heals very, very fast, so hopefully we can have him soon.
On how he galvanises Kai Havertz after a tough week…
First of all, we assess his performance in a way that you don’t isolate a topic, which is scoring a goal. [We focus on] What Kai brings to the team. Like many other players this season, probably we haven’t been as prolific in terms of the numbers that we have scored, but they produce incredible things for the team, certainly Kai is one of them.
On Sunday’s atmosphere turning negative…
There are a lot of things happening that are very difficult to control and understand. The ones that are in our hands, and this is one of them, let’s create the best atmosphere that the Emirates has seen. This is something that is in our hands. If we want it, we’re going to create it, we don’t depend on anybody. So what we’re going to try with the players and the staff is that we are the first ones to embrace that, and hopefully they will follow us.
On the importance of home support in a derby…
Crucial for Tottenham and for the rest [of the games]. I think the amount of points is not tangible, and I cannot describe how much he helps the narrative, the energy across the club. We have experienced it, a negative one and a positive one, and what is the outcome? So it’s our choice.
On whether the club have an idea of the player they might want to replace Jesus…
We have very clear ideas of the players that we want, yes. It was the case before Gabby [got injured] and with Gabby injured right now. We have to wait and see how things develop.
On what profile of player he wants…
You can speak to Jason [Ayto]. You know I’m not going to speak about that.
The atmosphere thing. Watching the game on Sunday and looking at how their keeper was time wasting with a few whistles here and there and comparing it to how we are booed and the ref pressurized into giving us yellows for it ( not that the refs need the invitation when it’s us), it got me thinking how much help the fans can lend this team in difficult times. We certainly can catch Liverpool given the tough away games they’ve got. Our away games look kinder but that means our home games are harder. If everyone involved, players and home… Read more »
Been to a couple of games this season and was very disappointed in the atmosphere. Admittedly they weren’t games against top opposition and they team haven’t been offering a huge amount of excitement but the difference in noise to last season or the year before was stark. It seems like the young, die hard Arsenal crowd have been dispersed and replaced by tourists again.
Have noticed this aswel, the games I have attended this season united and palace and a couple of others. Last season we came out first 15mins fast pace attacking football which really helped the crowed to get going, even after conceding the fans were behind the player because they could see the effort from the start. This season has seemed a slower pace at beginning of matches and the crowed have seemed less encouraging. Huge difference between the upper and lower tiers also.
Tourists or hospitality/corporate freebies?
Takes commitment to be a “tourist” – there’s very few who would pay through the nose for travel and one-off tickets just to replicate the experience of watching at home on telly.
What’s probably happened is that a lot of new post-COVID season ticket holders – who were just excited to be there 5 years ago – now expect things.
Exactly.
Since I now live overseas I am hoping to be a “tourist” this year with my son. That will require thousands of dollars and for sure I won’t be quiet or leaving early if things are going bad.
I suspect a lot of hospitality/corporate tickets are going to people who are not real fans, just an evening out with free food.
Wasn’t there a thing where all the post Covid season ticket holders were sat together and creating a great atmosphere, before being dispersed for whatever reason? Or did I completely imagine that?
Very sad turn of events. Hopefully the club does more to involve more of the younger fans too. They’ll need continuity
I am not necessarily disagreeing with you but I wonder sometimes if the booing of perceived timewasting is counterproductive and has a negative effect on the atmosphere of the game, conveying a sense of almost panic at an early stage. On a different note it would be nice to see all seats occupied for the entire duration of the match, not just tonight but for every match.
Can’t tell neither but I feel this Liverpool team can be caught and whatever small margines we could improve on and off the field would go a long way
Must win this bitch.
Are the down votes because you thought there was a comma after “this”?
After the backlash from the fans, I think now is the perfect time to play our best game of the season. For the team to prove there selves again and go on a run like last season after everyone write them off.. Kai to score hat trick, Never give up our time is now..
A must win game, simply put- the crowd will turn on the team after the week of dismal showings and even less on the transfer front.
Considering the taters love to run, I’m hoping we leave sterling on the bench. An 80% martinelli still has more workrate in him than the sterling we’ve seen this season.
“A week”….one week and there’s always context to these things. God our fan base pisses me off sometimes…just stick with the lads ffs. Are you listening to Arteta? You don’t have to love any of this but you stick with the club and the personnel. B*tch about it to your friends/ on here after the game that’s fine.
We probably have the worst fan base in English football. I feel ashamed most times. We forget easily, are entitled and turn on our own on a wimp. IF we keep this up, we will end up attracting only mercenaries to the club, and the soul of this beautiful club will be lost forever. This saddens me, honestly.
I mean, does it really matter? Seasons gone now.
Title might be gone, season ends in May. One highlight is the NLD.
Look forward to it every year, particularly the home leg, but the season is gone and that is massively defining and deflating. Top 4 merchants the Kroenkes are.
What on earth is that attitude?? Staggering. Win tonight and it’s 4 points (provisional 7 points) and Liverpool dropping a few points. On what planet is that ‘season gone’? Especially when we’re also doing well in the CL.
I usually shy away from the ‘you’re not a proper fan’ attitude but being a few points off the leaders and in 3rd place and seeing someone say ‘seasons gone’ does make one wonder…..
I think the season is over, not because of where arsenal are in the table but because of the lack luster displays, injuries, lack of likely January reinforcements and cruddy referee decisions that are likely to continue – too much of an uphill battle!! Obviously I hope I’m wrong but I won’t be holding my breath!!!
The title race will have many twists and turns yet so it really isn’t over until it’s over. By the same token, top 4 finish isn’t guaranteed either, so still plenty to play for.
Give me my caviar, I don’t want sausages.
Caviar was 20 years ago. It’s been pain sans chocolat for a while now.
We can go within 4 points of top and Liverpool don’t look great to me. So I’m going to have belief that we can pull it together. But I do really hope we can get some extra bodies in the forwards positions.!
Don’t be so miserable about the season being over January. There plenty of time for that after March!!
Unbelievable. You really should consider a different pastime.
The attack is way too thin and lacks top quality, and not addressing the need for additional attacking players is evident. Yes the table says we’re in touching distance, but are we really capable of producing enough goals to win the league?
If they sign a striker and a winger, then I’m on board with a title run. But let’s be honest, we’ve been here soooooo many times before. 21 years since we won the league, and you have to be honest. In the past three years, this is our worst chance of pulling it out. Just saying.
I understand the pessimism but a lot of things can change.
Liverpool have weaknesses and could yet experience an injury crisis like we have had.
Our job is to fight for every point and believe!
Btw at this exact point last season we were 5 pts behind them and finished 7 pts ahead.
I know this is off topic but still…. I watched the Nottingham Forest – Liverpool game last night. At one point Alexander-Arnold blatanly punched the ball (and a forest player) after the ref whistled for a foul by a liverpool player. He clearly delayed the re-start of the game by means of punching the ball away and injuring a player in the process. The ref last night was none other than Chris Kavannagh, the same one who booked and then sent off Declan Rice, citing “the letter of the law”. Is this letter of the law malarkey not being applied… Read more »
It’s the same every season, they have a new area of focus, it lasts a few weeks, is applied stringently to us and then they forget about it.
I’ve never subscribed to the conspiracy theories on PGMOL. There’s bias for sure I just think most of the fuckery is down to stupidity, lack of clarity, ego, and contrarianism. The way the leagues been reffed this year really tests what I think of pgmol. Howard Webb in charge is a flat out disaster. At what point do fans need to come together to demand something better. There’s no shortage of resources and people desperate to be involved in the league. Yet somehow we’re stuck with an old boys club of insufferable cunts from a 50 square mile area who… Read more »
Totally agree. The lack of transparency in PGMOL is unacceptable.
Yeah I don’t think there is a conspiracy against Arsenal, I think it’s more down to incompetence, maybe a little bit of bias but also, and this is what bothers me most, that we are perhaps seen as a soft touch.
No. If they go moonlighting to the UAE, certain refs would know which side their bread is buttered. No conspiracy, just thinly veiled bribery.
Against Man United–presumably the beneficiary of the “little bit of bias”– there were a number of important and very questionable decisions in our favour. Pretend these decisions went against Arsenal instead of against United. Do you think that was a penalty? (A call that should have decided the outcome.) Do you think Dalot deserved two yellows? Did Gabriel Jesus blatantly foul Fernandes to start a counter (and cause him to lose his mind and wave his shoe at the ridiculousness of the non-call)? All referees, like all players, make mistakes. But, in both cases, there ought to be a level… Read more »
For all the negativity surrounding Arteta this season it’s important to remember something. If covid had not happened and there was fans in the stadium around the time when we were in the absolute doldrums, finishing 8th ect, there is no way Mikel would have survived with his job. This means that we would never have had the past two brilliant seasons where we lost out on the title by a hair. It might seem like the cycle has come to an end etc now and we need someone else, but it’s not necessarily true. I trust Arteta to turn… Read more »
COYG!
The home fans have been very naive, they have simply played into the hands of opposition supporters and the media that just hates Arsenal. Yes the results haven’t been great, but some of the circumstances have been extraordinarily insane too. But backing your team all the way is a non negotiable. Someone like me would literally give a kidney to watch my favourite team Arsenal play at the Emirates, don’t even care what the results would be.
To be honest, although I like Arteta as a manager, he doesn’t show himself in a likeable light to non-Arsenal supporters during post match interviews. There’s a lot of “we deserved to win”, “our players were incredibol (sic)”, etc. The occasional rants against refs comes with the territory, but Arteta often appears strained in praising his team and usually ignores the part of sportsmanship that requires one to credit one’s opponent. Sorry, I’m grateful for what he’s done for the team and I know he gives it his absolute all, but a lot of the hatred he gets is self-inflicted.… Read more »
Whats all this nonsense. They ( opposition fans, sectors of media) hate him and they hate Arsenal and want to see him/Arsenal fail. He brought Arsenal so close and the last thing they want is to see us win big. They did it to Wenger too. An undefeated premier league champion’s title by a french man with predominantly foreign black players in their backyard. Unforgivable and a bitter pill to swallow for those with the ‘its our game’ mantra.
Sorry but who gives a shit if Arteta is likeable to opposing fans? I have a Liverpool supporting mate who was very complimentary about arteta and rooting for arsenal in many games during the first few years (when Liverpool were finishing above arsenal). Over the last two seasons (when we’ve finished above liverpool) he has become very negative towards arteta. He text this week to say surely arteta will be sacked soon. Whether consciously or unconsciously, opposing fans are seeking to feed the narratives around arteta to get him sacked – and the reason for this is they want to… Read more »
Where did I say I gave a shit? Just saying that some of the hate IS justified.