After seeing us extend our unbeaten run to 16 games, Mikel Arteta spoke to the press about our 3-1 win against Southampton.
He was asked about Bukayo Saka's form, springing into life after conceding, Kai Havertz scoring again and much more.
Here is everything he had to say:
on the performance:
First half I thought it was exceptional. The amount of dominance that we had in the areas that we played, the amount of situations and chances we created in open play and set pieces, our counter-press worked really well there. It's unbelievable that we didn’t score a goal.
Then we started the second half, we were a bit sloppy, especially in the first 5-10 minutes with the ball and then the game became a little more open. Then the chance they had, they scored the goal, and then again, we’ve thrown everything away that we did in the first half. It was a completely brand-new game in a really difficult context and the team reacted incredibly well with a lot of composure; big belief, very good clarity in what we had to do. The crowd were exceptional, the subs were exceptional and we managed to win again.
on Bukayo’s performance and his leadership in the team:
That’s the maturity and the steps that players have to do. He’s been long enough in the team now, he’s earned the right to have that role, he believes in that. He has the capacity to change games, to decide games, like many other players. If you want to be at the top, sometimes players have to create those moments and he's certainly done that today.
on Jesus and Sterling’s performances:
I was really happy. We made the changes, we had to make them and everybody deserves to play. In the first half it could have been very different to the result we had at half-time. After that we decided to change because the energy had to be changed and we brought on three players that have the ability to do that and they really helped. I’m really pleased with everybody.
on needing a wake-up call for a second week:
The wake-up call was that we conceded a goal. But the way we started the games and dominated the opposition, I think against Leicester we beat every record that was set before and today will be something similar. But you need to score three, four or five and if you don’t, this is the Premier League, game on. But if we have a wake-up call, it's the goal they scored and we had to react to that, true. We did it and we did it in a convincing way.
on Bukayo stepping up to another level:
It’s another step ahead in what he wants, especially when. Do it at home, do it away, do it in big games, do it in some other games, when the team needs it, not when it’s 3-0 - that’s what defines a top, top player.
on Kai’s performance and confidence level:
You can tell [his confidence has grown], he takes the ball and he runs with the ball. He’s on high press, he goes full gas, the way he holds the ball, the position he takes in the box. He’s an attacking midfielder, he plays as a nine, you don’t know where he is, that’s his football brain. His focus now is ‘I’m going to win the game, I’m going to do it’ and that’s a different thing.
on Havertz scoring in seven games in a row at Emirates Stadium:
When he’s practising, he wants more and he’s not satisfied with what he’s doing because there is still, I think, another level from him. Obviously, he’s surrounded by incredible players but something has changed in him and that confidence, you really sense it and now he’s putting it into games and he’s winning football matches which is great.
on Saka’s stats at his age:
There are the stats and you cannot get away from that. What he’s doing at his age is unbelievable. We have many examples of that as well.
on speaking with Ramsdale at the end:
I wished him all the best, and congratulate on the way that they played as well. I wish him the best and I hope that they do, especially for the manager and Aaron as well because they are a very good side.
on if there is a temptation to rest Bukayo:
Yes there is, and we have taken him off a few times this season and we have to manage the load on him, but at the moment, he’s in a good place.
on the schedule and injuries:
It’s been a very demanding period after the international break, we had so many issues; a lot of injuries, very difficult fixtures, especially away from home and some of them playing with 10 men and the team adapts. The team is so willing. I’m very pleased with the way we’ve come through this period and we’re in a good place.
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