In the second half of his pre-Manchester United press conference, Mikel Arteta answered questions on Bukayo Saka’s state of mind, squad rotation during this hectic period, the importance of supporters staying patient and more.
Here’s what he had to say…
On whether he’s seen Bukayo Saka and how he’s doing…
Yeah, he’s been around a lot. It’s great to have him, it’s always a smile on his face. He’s going through a period that is unknown for him because he’s never been injured for such a long time. We discussed the things that we can do together, and he can do as well, to use that time in the right way to make him a better person, to make sure that he spends the time adequately with the opportunity that he has and when he comes back he’s in a better place.
On whether Saka’s teammates are motivated to win for him…
We had unfortunately a lot of players injured so we do it for all of them but we do it for our people and because it’s our job and our passion to try to do our best to win four matches, that’s it.
On the hectic schedule being the reason for Saka’s injury…
The answer is that we don’t know. We don’t know if he’d had one or two less games [whether] he would have got injured or maybe not because he’s done it in the past so nobody can answer that question. We can have our theories, our feelings and look at every possible data but the answer is that we don’t know.
On whether his players can mount a similar second-half-season run having not had a break this January…
Well, I look at it the other way around. I said in the first part of the season with all the injuries, suspensions, more games, more competition that we have played, we are in a better position than last year or exactly the same in the Premier League. How is that possible? So everything is ahead. It’s in our control. There are things that we can do still better with injuries, without injuries, with the schedule and we focus on that.
On whether going out of the FA Cup early would improve Arsenal’s league chances…
We want to be in the FA Cup.
On whether he got enough credit for his 2020 FA Cup success…
I don’t expect to get credit. I expect to get judged on what we do on the day. That’s what we’ve done in the past and the future is not relevant. It doesn’t interest me at all.
On whether the Covid-19 pandemic overshadowed the 2020 FA Cup win…
I don’t know.
On using corners to great effect against United last month and whether United will be more prepared this time…
I don’t know the way they have prepared, what they have focused on, so it’s very difficult to answer that. In the way that we believe we can hurt them, certainly, we’ll focus especially tomorrow on those areas.
On the importance of the fans being patient with the team at this time of the season…
In my opinion, it’s crucial because the success that we had is very, very related to the atmosphere and the energy that we have created amongst our supporters, so that’s it.
On the clash with United representing an opportunity to rotate players…
I think we have rotated a lot for different reasons and we’re going to have to continue to rotate because of the amount of games that we have and the level of the players that we have. So I don’t see it [being about] the competition. It’s about momentum, it’s about feeling, it’s about what we need in the occasion as well to give ourselves the best chance to win. So my selection is going to be [based] on that, not in the competition.
On the match representing a big chance to respond to Tuesday’s defeat to Newcastle…
Yeah, but the response cannot be attached to the performance or to the result? The result, yeah, we are very unhappy with the result, especially because we believe that we didn’t deserve it. But there are a few things that we have to do much better and against Manchester United as well to earn the right to win again.
On getting sent different competition balls to train with and when that happens….
Yeah, so today we trained with those balls for example.
On the FA Cup ball celebrating Manchester United’s success last year…
I just answered a question the other day. Somebody asked me, I don’t know who it was. Don’t worry, we will adapt to that.
On being in a no-win situation when it comes to people’s opinions on his side’s emphasis on set pieces…
Yeah, we have won a lot.
On whether he feels like people are getting at him…
Me, personally? When you are there competing on every front, it’s normal. Because a lot of people want to support another club but if I look at what they say about Chelsea or Tottenham or Liverpool and this, it’s the same. So there’s no difference. What do they want me to talk about? That we conceded 0.3 [xG] goals in 10 games in a row? Nobody’s going to talk about that, no? And we scored now five goals. No, because last week we talked about not scoring and now they scored four. I’m not going to ask any questions about that. It’s normal, guys. For me, it’s totally normal.
A very good student of Arsene Wenger in media interaction. My manager 👏👏👏
Yeah he deals with press conferences like a seasoned pro and has done since day one.
Yes he is, although sometimes he simply needs to respond with a “No comment” to certain questions that are asked when we have either lost a game and/or dropped points.
What sort of extra-curricular activities are players supported with alongside their job – higher education or training in a useful trade for later in life? They are scouted almost from the cradle.
Dunno if he means outside of Saka’s job if that’s what you’re referring to. Maybe more football-adjacent stuff like studying tape, tactics, diet, reading, therapy, meditating or other ways of sharpening his mind and taking care of his mental health, maybe working out certain body parts which he can without using his legs. No shortage of things he can do.
Still my main man, I get supporters being unhappy about certain things, fair enough, but fans wanting him out need to give their head a massive wobble, go for a walk in a wooded area, find some inner peace and come back into the fold with a new found appreciation of where we are as a club. We will be buying forwards and wingers in the summer, so come back and back us 100%, we need you! Up the Arse!
People have short memories. Being in the CL and being serious serial contenders for the title going into the business end of the season as a self sustaining club is in my opinion a massive achievement given the current level of competition.
Absolutely, well said and COYG!!
Yeah same, and for me it’s telling that most of the people saying he should be sacked are fans and pundits of other teams! From where we were when he joined to now has been incredible. But with that being said, we need to back him properly if we’re going to make the final push and that means improving our transfer window record on attacking signings. Note that backing here doesn’t just mean fronting the cash, it’s also about scouting and nudging where necessary. Famously Klopp didn’t even want Salah and needed to be convinced by Liverpool’s recruitment team. We… Read more »
Fan channel media has led to a situation where many fans only consider themselves ‘real fans’ if they’re able to pick apart the problems and focus on what must improve. ‘Look how wise I am, I’ve spotted these issues, I must be very smart and know football’.
Isn’t that part of being a fan ? Isn’t that what football is about ? Something to talk about with your mates – bask in the glory and suffer the banter when you lose ? I recognise that Arteta has done brilliantly for the most part and not so well in other parts – why not take apart his failings? We all have our opinions so why should you insult them just because you disagree with them ?
Fan patience is earned by winning games, and right now well…
Make your point then, don’t leave us hanging. 2nd in the league and on par with where we were last season despite having six months of an incredibly unsettled match day squad due to injuries. And going well in the CL. The doom and gloom gets a bit boring. It’s been a tough season. It happens. Been supporting this team for enough decades now to know that peaks and troughs is the reality of following a football team.
For me fan patience is earned by feeling that we are moving in the right direction. Yes we’ve had a bit of a rocky season to date, but it is hardly a disaster. I am sure that the club know what is needed to move forward, and I am confident that they will do what is required. Where patience comes into it is the knowledge that it cannot all be done at once, and there will be conditions out of our control that impact plans along the way
Mikel has been at Arsenal nearly five years. Fair enough he won the FA Cup in 2021 and runners up twice but given the amount of money spent and the time given to him (Lopetegue was given just 5 months at West Ham – a team with no aspirations for anything) you would have to see he HAS to deliver this season…
Not for me he doesn’t. He changes the whole toxic culture of the club. Unfortunately there are still some fans (mostly online) they remain. Critique is great and necessary part of supporting a club. Here’s my critique, Arteta changed the whole club and had us the last two years a couple of better performances away from winning the title against one of best teams premiership has seen. In 2024 we got most points, conceded fewest goals and scored second most goals. Now is not the time to panic. Injuries, illness, terrible ref and var calls resulting in suspensions and playing… Read more »
Well put. Arteta isn’t untouchable, obviously, but he’s done a great job since coming in. The club was an absolute mess when he came in, an embarrassment from top to bottom. And he’s been the man who has spearheaded a squad rebuild and a change of culture behind the scenes. And he did that in his late 30s under the scrutiny of the world’s most punishing media. There’s no one we could realistically have gotten at the time Arteta was appointed that would have done a better job.
He changed the culture which is very good and improved league performance which is great – now just needs to deliver success which is what he is paid to do. I am not Anti Arteta at all but a manager should be judged on success on the field- he knows that but some fail to see it…
Alex Ferguson nearly got sacked in his 4th season at United as he had not won anything. He won the FA cup that season. It took him 7 seasons to win the league I believe. It turned out that some patience was all that was needed.
That was another time and another era – you cannot even begin to compare the mid eighties with football today. The finances and pressure on managers is nothing like today. Ferguson would not have survived today…
Our Wednesday opponents are resting Son, Kulu, Bergvall, and Solanke [at least through 65′] today while playing a non-league while we face a Premier League side — not moaning about bad luck, but we’ve got a hill to climb for the NLD.
I have no illusions that they’ll blow it completely, but Tamworth have kept it 0-0 so far, which is funny.
Havertz’ complete inability to score open chances and the fact that Jesus was stretchered off MUST surely prompt Arsenal into signing a striker perhaps – would be good to salvage this season surely…
Yep – that looks like progress. The chance of silverware is over in my opinion. Another season of progress awaits….
Arteta wants to make him a better person?
Wtf does that mean?
Does he mean that the kid who has carried the club on his back for 3/4 years while being played into the ground is not a good person? A strong person?
How much more does he want from this player?