WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.179 Welcome to HYBR1D Powered by chinkseyMEDIA. 00:00:04.719 --> 00:00:08.019 Once again, we are back again for Mikel Arteta's 00:00:08.019 --> 00:00:11.839 press conference. Tune in for every word from 00:00:11.839 --> 00:00:15.980 Arteta's pre -Manchester City presser. Mikel 00:00:15.980 --> 00:00:18.379 Arteta's pre -Manchester City press conference. 00:00:19.039 --> 00:00:21.339 Arteta has been speaking to the press at the 00:00:21.339 --> 00:00:24.519 Sober Realty Centre ahead of our contest against 00:00:24.519 --> 00:00:27.579 Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium this 00:00:27.579 --> 00:00:30.480 Sunday. The boss answered questions on the fitness 00:00:30.480 --> 00:00:32.899 of our players, our opponents and much more. 00:00:34.619 --> 00:00:37.799 Right, here goes. On if we're in a good place, 00:00:38.079 --> 00:00:41.530 yes. We've had two very important wins. Very 00:00:41.530 --> 00:00:43.750 good feeling about the games as well. And we're 00:00:43.750 --> 00:00:46.590 preparing for a big match on Sunday. So obviously 00:00:46.590 --> 00:00:49.829 Mikel Arteta is referring to our two victories 00:00:49.829 --> 00:00:53.689 in recent days against Nottingham Forest and 00:00:53.689 --> 00:00:56.649 Athletic Club respectively, where we managed 00:00:56.649 --> 00:01:00.609 to notch five goals unanswered. So we're on a 00:01:00.609 --> 00:01:03.070 roll. We've hit back well after that Liverpool 00:01:03.070 --> 00:01:07.900 result. Looking good players on form. A lot of 00:01:07.900 --> 00:01:13.099 competition for places and yeah, willing and 00:01:13.099 --> 00:01:15.900 raring to go against arch rivals Manchester City. 00:01:17.019 --> 00:01:20.500 And if there's a chance, Ben White, Bakayo Saka 00:01:20.500 --> 00:01:25.280 and Martin Odegaard may be fit. If there is a 00:01:25.280 --> 00:01:27.819 chance, it will be after tomorrow's session because 00:01:27.819 --> 00:01:30.079 they haven't done anything yet. So we'll have 00:01:30.079 --> 00:01:32.819 more information tomorrow. Yeah, Mikel loves 00:01:32.819 --> 00:01:38.379 doing that where obviously, Invariably, the press 00:01:38.379 --> 00:01:41.819 conferences are on a Friday, and that's always 00:01:41.819 --> 00:01:46.540 before the last training session before a match. 00:01:47.019 --> 00:01:51.900 So, in other words, he probably has an idea on 00:01:51.900 --> 00:01:53.680 inkling whether they're going to be fit, but 00:01:53.680 --> 00:01:56.159 he's not going to give the opponent an inkling. 00:01:58.359 --> 00:02:01.900 Right. On if Mikel Moreno and Victor Jokeres 00:02:01.900 --> 00:02:05.599 are okay after head injuries in midweek. Yes. 00:02:06.459 --> 00:02:09.580 They'll be fine. Okay. Nothing more to add to 00:02:09.580 --> 00:02:13.039 that. On if William Saliba will come back into 00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:16.830 the starting lineup. Let's see. Obviously, he's 00:02:16.830 --> 00:02:19.330 been carrying an injury. He's done really well 00:02:19.330 --> 00:02:21.909 to be available for the last match, and he's 00:02:21.909 --> 00:02:24.889 really pushing it. So we will decide tomorrow 00:02:24.889 --> 00:02:28.669 who is the best to start. Yeah, this is an interesting 00:02:28.669 --> 00:02:31.129 one. Obviously, you've got Christian Mosquera, 00:02:31.169 --> 00:02:34.870 who's come in, done really well. In preseason, 00:02:34.909 --> 00:02:38.530 I saw him firsthand. He looked amazing. Once 00:02:38.530 --> 00:02:41.550 again, I reiterate, I think he reminds me of 00:02:41.550 --> 00:02:45.969 a young Antonio Rudiger. Very aggressive, very 00:02:45.969 --> 00:02:50.389 athletic, very strong, you know. Does tell as 00:02:50.389 --> 00:02:53.930 well with Gabriel, young player. But what I think 00:02:53.930 --> 00:02:56.969 will happen is Saliba will come straight back 00:02:56.969 --> 00:03:01.210 in, slot alongside his compadre, Gabriel Magales, 00:03:01.289 --> 00:03:05.909 against, obviously, their arch -nemesis, Erling 00:03:05.909 --> 00:03:08.810 Haaland, or Haaland. And then what I think will 00:03:08.810 --> 00:03:11.490 happen is Mosquera will come back for Port Vale. 00:03:15.340 --> 00:03:18.199 On whether our boardroom changes will impact 00:03:18.199 --> 00:03:21.919 him, no. There have been quite a lot of changes 00:03:21.919 --> 00:03:24.580 since I arrived at the club. First of all, obviously 00:03:24.580 --> 00:03:27.139 Tim Lewis is leaving and I would like to say 00:03:27.139 --> 00:03:29.580 a few words because he's been someone that I've... 00:03:29.719 --> 00:03:33.120 really enjoyed working with. I think he has made 00:03:33.120 --> 00:03:35.500 a tremendous contribution to everything we've 00:03:35.500 --> 00:03:39.020 done over the last few years. Then on Richard 00:03:39.020 --> 00:03:42.000 Garlick, congratulations. It's a massive role 00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:45.280 to be the CEO of this football club. And then 00:03:45.280 --> 00:03:48.520 welcome to the new members of the board. Hopefully 00:03:48.520 --> 00:03:51.680 they're going to make us better and help us with 00:03:51.680 --> 00:03:54.780 ideas and support for this club. It's ultimately 00:03:54.780 --> 00:03:57.870 Stan and Joss's decision. They've been incredibly 00:03:57.870 --> 00:04:01.389 supportive. So we move on again. I mean, I don't 00:04:01.389 --> 00:04:05.069 want to dwell too much on boardroom changes and, 00:04:05.090 --> 00:04:09.509 you know, upgrades and whatnot. But what I will 00:04:09.509 --> 00:04:12.370 say is there seems to be a kind of changing of 00:04:12.370 --> 00:04:14.590 the guard in terms of the boardroom. Obviously, 00:04:14.689 --> 00:04:17.730 Edu's recently left. Andrea Berta's come in, 00:04:17.750 --> 00:04:22.889 done magnificently in bringing in eight top class 00:04:22.889 --> 00:04:25.509 players, which has contributed in us having... 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:30.160 a supremely, fiercely competitive squad right 00:04:30.160 --> 00:04:33.759 now. And I think that is the reason we won our 00:04:33.759 --> 00:04:37.240 last two games of consummate ease. One thing 00:04:37.240 --> 00:04:39.500 I will say, though, is I don't know too much 00:04:39.500 --> 00:04:41.899 about Tim Lewis. I'm not going to pretend I do, 00:04:42.040 --> 00:04:46.300 or Richard Garlick. But yeah, we'll move on from 00:04:46.300 --> 00:04:50.839 that. On how significant this match is in terms 00:04:50.839 --> 00:04:54.019 of... the title race. It's about winning again 00:04:54.019 --> 00:04:56.439 and creating another good moment for us. The 00:04:56.439 --> 00:04:58.699 consistency competing against one of the best 00:04:58.699 --> 00:05:01.019 teams in the world and a good test for us to 00:05:01.019 --> 00:05:03.740 see our level. Well, what I will say about this 00:05:03.740 --> 00:05:08.899 game is I feel like this is the first time in 00:05:08.899 --> 00:05:13.519 probably a decade or so where we go into a game 00:05:13.519 --> 00:05:16.339 against Manchester City as overwhelming favourites, 00:05:16.360 --> 00:05:19.879 and rightly so. I feel like we're a level above 00:05:19.879 --> 00:05:22.300 them right now. They're in a kind of transition 00:05:22.300 --> 00:05:25.240 period, but that's not to say they can't turn 00:05:25.240 --> 00:05:27.680 up and win that game. We've got to be at our 00:05:27.680 --> 00:05:30.240 best, and I feel if we are at our best, we will 00:05:30.240 --> 00:05:35.420 win. I expect us to win 99 % to 100 % of games 00:05:35.420 --> 00:05:38.399 if we're at our best. But Man City will be a 00:05:38.399 --> 00:05:41.779 good test of our... You know, they will test 00:05:41.779 --> 00:05:46.120 us for sure. But, yeah, it's just about us, really. 00:05:46.699 --> 00:05:50.420 It's just about us. I think if we can get our 00:05:50.420 --> 00:05:54.420 players playing at their optimum level, I should 00:05:54.420 --> 00:05:56.519 expect to win that game. But it should be a really 00:05:56.519 --> 00:06:01.839 competitive, intriguing matchup between us. On 00:06:01.839 --> 00:06:05.860 Pep Guardiola, the demands that he has put... 00:06:06.139 --> 00:06:09.160 first and himself the standards that he requires 00:06:09.160 --> 00:06:12.339 from everybody around him his will to win to 00:06:12.339 --> 00:06:15.680 evolve to improve you look around him always 00:06:15.680 --> 00:06:19.399 he wants to learn about the best people for me 00:06:19.399 --> 00:06:22.699 he's the best coach in the world i've said it 00:06:23.040 --> 00:06:25.279 I had the pleasure to work with him and win a 00:06:25.279 --> 00:06:27.860 lot with him next to him. It's always great to 00:06:27.860 --> 00:06:31.399 see him back. Well, I mean, with Pep and Guardiola, 00:06:31.500 --> 00:06:33.939 it's a really awkward one because obviously these 00:06:33.939 --> 00:06:36.899 two are close, close mates. I mean, close in 00:06:36.899 --> 00:06:40.060 a sense that they text most days, if not every 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:42.220 day. So when they're coming up against each other, 00:06:42.279 --> 00:06:44.959 it's a bit like you're coming up against one 00:06:44.959 --> 00:06:46.879 of your family members or your brother or something. 00:06:47.639 --> 00:06:50.560 But yeah, they're both really competitive. I 00:06:50.560 --> 00:06:53.839 think Arteta's got that inner drive in him to 00:06:53.839 --> 00:06:59.160 kind of supersede and overcome his quote -unquote 00:06:59.160 --> 00:07:02.740 big brother. And now I think Arteta's confident 00:07:02.740 --> 00:07:07.259 that he's got Pep's number. Obviously, in the 00:07:07.259 --> 00:07:09.839 last few years, that's proven to be the case. 00:07:13.120 --> 00:07:15.639 I was sure that he was a player with a talent 00:07:15.639 --> 00:07:18.660 and quality that we didn't have in the squad. 00:07:18.720 --> 00:07:21.120 A player with a level of threat and great ability 00:07:21.120 --> 00:07:24.360 that was going to make us better. The moment 00:07:24.360 --> 00:07:26.959 I picked up the phone, I spoke to him, his dad 00:07:26.959 --> 00:07:29.800 and his agent. And the three of them gave me 00:07:29.800 --> 00:07:32.300 the impression that they were really willing 00:07:32.300 --> 00:07:35.439 to come. And they saw something special here 00:07:35.439 --> 00:07:38.889 that they wanted to be a part of. Then you have 00:07:38.889 --> 00:07:41.709 to come here and slowly they start to get to 00:07:41.709 --> 00:07:44.709 know him and he starts to get to understand the 00:07:44.709 --> 00:07:47.569 team. I think so far the impact he's had on the 00:07:47.569 --> 00:07:51.529 team is very, very positive. Yeah, I mean, I 00:07:51.529 --> 00:07:54.189 tend to speak about Nani a lot. I did say from 00:07:54.189 --> 00:07:57.050 pre -season, before he actually put on an Arsenal 00:07:57.050 --> 00:08:00.350 shirt, that he was a player with the qualities 00:08:00.350 --> 00:08:02.709 we need. And obviously Arteta has literally said 00:08:02.709 --> 00:08:05.610 that. And what he's referring to is his directness, 00:08:05.689 --> 00:08:10.029 his skill, his ability to twist up a wing, a 00:08:10.029 --> 00:08:13.750 fullback, you know, tie a fullback in knots. 00:08:14.490 --> 00:08:18.470 That is an uncanny characteristic to have. And 00:08:18.470 --> 00:08:21.899 he is... Probably, arguably, probably not even 00:08:21.899 --> 00:08:27.040 arguably, the best 1v1 winger in terms of beating 00:08:27.040 --> 00:08:30.980 the full -back in the league. I remember a quote 00:08:30.980 --> 00:08:34.539 from Noni referring to him and Cole Palmer as, 00:08:34.679 --> 00:08:38.360 I'm the fire, he's the cold kind of thing. Because 00:08:38.360 --> 00:08:42.200 they played with each other since 15. So obviously 00:08:42.200 --> 00:08:44.860 Noni would be the winger, Cole Palmer would be 00:08:44.860 --> 00:08:47.980 next to him, behind the forward in a number 10 00:08:47.980 --> 00:08:52.440 position. So Noni's kind of, you know, got different 00:08:52.440 --> 00:08:56.379 qualities to Cole Palmer, but they kind of dovetailed 00:08:56.379 --> 00:09:00.259 really well together. Hopefully Noni can build 00:09:00.259 --> 00:09:02.559 that kind of similar rapport with people like 00:09:02.559 --> 00:09:05.940 Eze or Odegaard. I don't know how that works 00:09:05.940 --> 00:09:09.159 with Saka, but for now, Noni has been amazing. 00:09:09.320 --> 00:09:13.039 He's managed to implement his strengths and long 00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:19.000 live Noni. Long may it continue. On how Martin 00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:22.700 Zubimendi has settled in, it's another one. Coming 00:09:22.700 --> 00:09:26.740 from abroad, it's always very tricky, especially 00:09:26.740 --> 00:09:29.659 with the demands in this league and in that particular 00:09:29.659 --> 00:09:32.500 position because you have so much responsibility 00:09:32.500 --> 00:09:35.679 in that role and you have to be aware of everything 00:09:35.679 --> 00:09:38.860 that we do. He's such an intelligent boy. He 00:09:38.860 --> 00:09:41.220 has a lot of presence, a lot of quality and a 00:09:41.220 --> 00:09:44.649 lot of courage to play football. Yeah, Martin 00:09:44.649 --> 00:09:47.629 Zubamendi's announced himself at the Premier 00:09:47.629 --> 00:09:52.730 League level with two goals last week. But yeah, 00:09:52.809 --> 00:09:55.669 all in all, he's had a great start to the season, 00:09:55.730 --> 00:09:58.889 his Arsenal career. And I'm sure it helps to 00:09:58.889 --> 00:10:01.610 have his Spanish international teammate and good 00:10:01.610 --> 00:10:05.070 friend, Mikel Mourinho, right next to him. Also, 00:10:05.230 --> 00:10:09.549 to add to that, the composition of that midfield. 00:10:10.090 --> 00:10:15.610 has a number of permutations that could be utilised 00:10:15.610 --> 00:10:18.250 because you've probably got three from four or 00:10:18.250 --> 00:10:22.490 five. Christian Lorgard's, you know, back in 00:10:22.490 --> 00:10:25.769 the fray. So it'll be interesting to see if Max 00:10:25.769 --> 00:10:28.429 Stalman continues to get onto the bench, which 00:10:28.429 --> 00:10:31.970 is a remarkable feat. But yeah, nonetheless. 00:10:32.269 --> 00:10:35.549 But it'll be interesting to see if he opts with 00:10:35.549 --> 00:10:42.110 Marino now that Declan Rice is fit. Or with the 00:10:42.110 --> 00:10:44.610 fact that Odegaard is injured, that might make 00:10:44.610 --> 00:10:49.450 Arteta's selection dilemma slightly easier because 00:10:49.450 --> 00:10:52.649 he could just go Rice, Zubamendi and Mourinho. 00:10:54.009 --> 00:10:56.450 Or he could slot Eze in. So there's a number 00:10:56.450 --> 00:11:01.070 of permutations that he could use. The question 00:11:01.070 --> 00:11:04.289 is, does Mourinho start? And if the answer is 00:11:04.289 --> 00:11:07.090 no, then you can kind of shift things around. 00:11:07.210 --> 00:11:09.850 I think that's the key, really. Does Mikel Mourinho? 00:11:10.330 --> 00:11:14.529 continue in the starting line -up. I feel, personally, 00:11:14.690 --> 00:11:22.389 I think if Odegaard is fit, he may not even play. 00:11:24.070 --> 00:11:27.549 He could go Wanyeri, he could bring Eze in, but 00:11:27.549 --> 00:11:29.830 personally, no, I think he will stick with Mourinho, 00:11:29.909 --> 00:11:33.730 if I'm being real. I think he'll go Rice, Zubimendi, 00:11:33.889 --> 00:11:41.179 Mourinho. has been so solid. First of all, he's 00:11:41.179 --> 00:11:44.220 very good. I think credit to the scouting department 00:11:44.220 --> 00:11:47.860 and Andrea Berta that they presented the opportunity 00:11:47.860 --> 00:11:52.039 to have him. Again, as a boy, he's extremely 00:11:52.039 --> 00:11:54.759 focused, very determined, very clear that he 00:11:54.759 --> 00:11:57.440 wanted to come here and he wanted to come here 00:11:57.440 --> 00:12:00.639 and play and earn his place. I think what he's 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:03.179 doing in that position so early is very impressive. 00:12:03.559 --> 00:12:06.980 So Arteta has alluded to the fact that Andrea 00:12:06.980 --> 00:12:11.120 Bertas played and had a heavy handed role in 00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:14.340 bringing in Mosquera. So obviously Bertas was 00:12:14.340 --> 00:12:19.299 formerly of... Atletico Madrid, so he would have 00:12:19.299 --> 00:12:24.399 known of the player, seen him at close quarters 00:12:24.399 --> 00:12:28.240 and had first -hand kind of knowledge of him. 00:12:28.379 --> 00:12:32.200 So for him to be brought to the club and to be 00:12:32.200 --> 00:12:36.840 excelling so early, so young, props to him. Kudos 00:12:36.840 --> 00:12:40.779 to Berta for that. But Mosquera, it'll be interesting 00:12:40.779 --> 00:12:46.759 to see how long he... you know, how long it takes 00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:50.320 for him to kind of find his way into the first 00:12:50.320 --> 00:12:53.580 team on a more regular basis, considering he 00:12:53.580 --> 00:12:56.500 can play in two positions, battling with Drury 00:12:56.500 --> 00:13:00.779 and Timber and William Saliba. But I think there's 00:13:00.779 --> 00:13:05.539 enough games to rotate in and around, especially 00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:08.320 for playing twice a week for the foreseeable 00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:13.220 future. On Ben White, Bakayo Saka and Martin 00:13:13.220 --> 00:13:16.039 Odegaard's fitness, everything has been modified 00:13:16.039 --> 00:13:18.799 so far for them. There are still a few things 00:13:18.799 --> 00:13:21.120 to clear and tomorrow we'll have more information 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:23.980 on whether they are part of the squad or if they 00:13:23.980 --> 00:13:26.759 have a chance to be part of the squad. Interesting, 00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:30.460 interesting, interesting. I mean, with Ben White, 00:13:30.679 --> 00:13:35.580 our defence is so strong that if he isn't on 00:13:35.580 --> 00:13:39.110 the bench, we're not... going to miss him per 00:13:39.110 --> 00:13:41.509 se. And that's no slight on Ben White, but it's 00:13:41.509 --> 00:13:43.289 just the fact that, like I alluded to already, 00:13:43.570 --> 00:13:48.049 the competition and quality is high. We've got 00:13:48.049 --> 00:13:52.269 Mosquera really, really staking a claim to start 00:13:52.269 --> 00:13:54.049 that game, but I don't think he will. I think 00:13:54.049 --> 00:13:58.090 the seniority experience of Saliba would mean 00:13:58.090 --> 00:14:01.950 that not yet for Mosquera. However, with Ben 00:14:01.950 --> 00:14:04.789 White, yeah, I personally think he will probably 00:14:04.789 --> 00:14:07.730 miss out on a squad and play against Port Vale. 00:14:08.110 --> 00:14:12.509 Next week, as for Bukayo Saka, the form of Noni 00:14:12.509 --> 00:14:14.889 Madaweke means we don't have to rush him back. 00:14:15.149 --> 00:14:17.809 So I think with Saka, it's probably bench at 00:14:17.809 --> 00:14:21.490 best. And also with that one, I'm going to stick 00:14:21.490 --> 00:14:23.009 my neck out and say I don't think Saka will be 00:14:23.009 --> 00:14:25.929 in the squad. But potentially, I think he might 00:14:25.929 --> 00:14:29.529 be on the bench at Port Vale. Whereas with Martin 00:14:29.529 --> 00:14:32.870 Odegaard, I don't think Odegaard starts that 00:14:32.870 --> 00:14:36.809 game. The question is whether he'll be on the 00:14:36.809 --> 00:14:41.210 bench. And I'm going to go for no on that. These 00:14:41.210 --> 00:14:45.470 are all predictions on what type of game he is 00:14:45.470 --> 00:14:48.909 expecting on Sunday. There will be moments. It 00:14:48.909 --> 00:14:51.590 has been in the past as well, in the last few 00:14:51.590 --> 00:14:54.169 years. They have changed quite a bit, especially 00:14:54.169 --> 00:14:56.929 in the back line, and they recruited Erling Haaland 00:14:56.929 --> 00:14:59.649 as well. We've modified a few things because 00:14:59.649 --> 00:15:02.389 of the quality of the midfield, which is normal. 00:15:02.570 --> 00:15:05.769 And there is a tendency in football, especially 00:15:05.769 --> 00:15:08.809 because of the way teams are defending. But it 00:15:08.809 --> 00:15:11.789 has certain implications for how teams react 00:15:11.789 --> 00:15:16.120 to them. So obviously Arteta's... alluded to 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:19.879 the fact that Manchester City's defence has changed 00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:24.100 a lot. He obviously didn't mention that it's 00:15:24.100 --> 00:15:28.200 changed for the worse, but it's clear that Manchester 00:15:28.200 --> 00:15:31.639 City have a clear vulnerability in their defence, 00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:35.159 especially in counterattacks. However, I don't 00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:37.940 think we'll be counterattacking. I think we're 00:15:37.940 --> 00:15:41.129 going to take the game to Man City. It's just 00:15:41.129 --> 00:15:43.870 a question of whether they reciprocate that game 00:15:43.870 --> 00:15:47.070 plan and take the game to us or kind of sit back 00:15:47.070 --> 00:15:49.070 and give us respect, considering the fact that 00:15:49.070 --> 00:15:55.509 we thumped them 5 -1 last season. But yeah, it's 00:15:55.509 --> 00:15:58.769 a game that I expect Arsenal to kind of be confident 00:15:58.769 --> 00:16:00.830 in winning, especially given how we've performed 00:16:00.830 --> 00:16:03.309 so far this season. We look like we're kind of 00:16:03.309 --> 00:16:05.549 getting into our groove a bit. We're conceding. 00:16:07.229 --> 00:16:09.970 We've conceded only one goal, which was a worldie 00:16:09.970 --> 00:16:14.669 of a free kick all season. Well, it'll be interesting 00:16:14.669 --> 00:16:16.389 to see if we can keep a clean sheet on Sunday. 00:16:16.429 --> 00:16:20.370 Personally, I think it'll be 3 -1. So, well, 00:16:21.169 --> 00:16:22.850 I don't think we'll keep a clean sheet, but I 00:16:22.850 --> 00:16:27.590 hope we do. On the impact of subs, you look historically 00:16:27.590 --> 00:16:30.450 at the top team, the team that has won a lot, 00:16:30.529 --> 00:16:34.139 the impact that the finishers had. has always 00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:36.559 been really, really high. You need that quality 00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:39.399 nowadays to unlock games and to be consistent 00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:42.580 every three days. It's even harder, and that's 00:16:42.580 --> 00:16:45.559 what we need. We are very lucky because we have 00:16:45.559 --> 00:16:48.100 players who can make an impact. They certainly 00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:50.940 did that the other day, and now we need consistency. 00:16:51.419 --> 00:16:54.740 So it's interesting that Arteta's referred to 00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:57.960 substitutes as finishers, which kind of gives 00:16:57.960 --> 00:17:04.980 them more of a... A purpose, you know, gives 00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:10.220 them respect, gives them more confidence. So 00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:13.700 in terms of finisher, we had a good finish from 00:17:13.700 --> 00:17:17.140 Martinelli, which is a double entendre because, 00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:19.819 yeah, he was a substitute who finished the game 00:17:19.819 --> 00:17:24.140 and he finished well with his strike. So Martinelli's 00:17:24.140 --> 00:17:26.019 kind of come back to life now. I'm sure a few 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:29.839 more good... performances from him would bring 00:17:29.839 --> 00:17:32.099 him back into the reckoning of actually battling 00:17:32.099 --> 00:17:35.119 for a first team spot with the likes of Eze as 00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:39.319 well. But Port Vale was there too. But the thing 00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:42.500 is, I keep mentioning Port Vale, but the players 00:17:42.500 --> 00:17:45.380 that would like or would need to start that game, 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:48.220 there's only 11 spots. People like Myles Lewis 00:17:48.220 --> 00:17:54.720 -Skelly, Trossard, Martinetti, Ben White, you 00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:59.220 know, Hinkapie. They all need games, even Kepa. 00:17:59.460 --> 00:18:01.460 So it'll be interesting. You know, actually, 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:05.059 what is more intriguing is who he starts in that 00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:07.700 Port Vale game. I'm sure we got an idea, but 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:10.460 then there'll be one or two that wouldn't have 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:13.339 played in the league much and wouldn't have started 00:18:13.339 --> 00:18:15.440 that game. And it'll be like, ooh, the squad 00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:20.059 is quite big. Will certain players like not featuring 00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:23.859 much, let alone even in a cup competition? Well, 00:18:23.940 --> 00:18:26.980 that's a debate and a discussion for another 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:30.900 time. On whether he talks to the subs before 00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:33.960 the game, we already had that discussion in pre 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:35.599 -season about the goals and responsibilities. 00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:39.180 and about the implications of each goal in relation 00:18:39.180 --> 00:18:42.039 to the game, the scenario, the schedule, a lot 00:18:42.039 --> 00:18:44.279 of factors. But the quality and the delivery 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:46.759 and the intensity and the will that you have 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:49.900 to put into every minute for this football club, 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:51.859 that's unquestionable whether you're starting 00:18:51.859 --> 00:18:55.359 or not. So it sounds like Arteta's kind of sat 00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:58.059 down with the squad and said, right, we're going 00:18:58.059 --> 00:19:01.740 to have around 60 games. We're going to have 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:05.200 a big squad. We're going to do a lot of rotation. 00:19:05.930 --> 00:19:09.650 There's an emphasis on, in certain games, we're 00:19:09.650 --> 00:19:11.930 going to need the substitutes to make an impact. 00:19:12.170 --> 00:19:15.769 So if you're on the bench, you have an opportunity 00:19:15.769 --> 00:19:19.509 to make an impact, to win points. The substitutes 00:19:19.509 --> 00:19:22.009 are the ones that make the difference, the difference 00:19:22.009 --> 00:19:25.329 makers. So that gives every player in the squad 00:19:25.329 --> 00:19:28.950 purpose, motivation and confidence that they 00:19:28.950 --> 00:19:33.420 can actually come on, make an impact. gives themselves 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:36.140 a chance of starting the next game or the game 00:19:36.140 --> 00:19:40.640 after that. On whether Pep is rebuilding Manchester 00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:43.839 City. I don't know. That's a question for him. 00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:46.339 But obviously what he's already done in this 00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:49.059 league is unprecedented. The level that he's 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:51.519 put into the standard of the league is, in my 00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:54.680 opinion, unprecedented. And maintaining those 00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:57.119 levels for 10 years is already something incredible. 00:19:57.420 --> 00:20:00.500 And the demands are there for him. And he wants 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:03.019 to carry on because he believes that he can do 00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:07.589 it again. Unprecedented. Interesting. It's almost 00:20:07.589 --> 00:20:10.190 like a slight on Alex Ferguson because Alex Ferguson's 00:20:10.190 --> 00:20:14.029 got more league titles than Pep over a longer 00:20:14.029 --> 00:20:19.309 period, of course. But, well, Pep's got his work 00:20:19.309 --> 00:20:22.730 cut out trying to topple both Liverpool and Arsenal, 00:20:22.769 --> 00:20:26.630 let alone Chelsea. So, obviously, it's clear 00:20:26.630 --> 00:20:28.569 that Man City are in transition. They've already 00:20:28.569 --> 00:20:31.750 lost two games in a league this season. However, 00:20:31.869 --> 00:20:35.289 if they can beat Arsenal, then that would... 00:20:35.609 --> 00:20:38.369 really, really put them in the race and give 00:20:38.369 --> 00:20:41.430 them confidence to kind of get themselves back 00:20:41.430 --> 00:20:44.009 on track with a third win in succession after 00:20:44.009 --> 00:20:47.809 they beat Napoli in midweek. Or yesterday, should 00:20:47.809 --> 00:20:51.049 I say. On trying to go five games unbeaten against 00:20:51.049 --> 00:20:54.289 Pep, the preparation for the game will be to 00:20:54.289 --> 00:20:58.549 win. That's for sure. To be honest, I don't think 00:20:58.549 --> 00:21:00.970 Pep would like the fact that Arteta's gone five 00:21:00.970 --> 00:21:03.529 games unbeaten or four games unbeaten against 00:21:03.529 --> 00:21:08.690 him. He would be plotting a way to beat Arsenal. 00:21:09.069 --> 00:21:12.309 But it's a far cry from the times that we would 00:21:12.309 --> 00:21:15.170 lose home and away to Man City consecutively 00:21:15.170 --> 00:21:17.849 for about seven, eight years. There was a period 00:21:17.849 --> 00:21:20.849 we lost 14, 15, 16 times in a row against Man 00:21:20.849 --> 00:21:23.650 City. And I don't think any club in history has 00:21:23.650 --> 00:21:27.079 ever done that to us. what we had to overcome 00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:31.900 in recent years. On us opening a mental health 00:21:31.900 --> 00:21:35.059 drop -in on match days. First of all, very proud 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:38.220 that the club again takes initiative. It takes 00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:40.519 a problem, a serious problem that is out there 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:44.059 in our society and gets practical solutions and 00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:47.220 to create a safe space as well for our supporters 00:21:47.220 --> 00:21:50.740 and be able to raise their hands and say, I need 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:54.019 help and this is the space to do it. I think 00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:57.339 this is incredible and hopefully more people 00:21:57.339 --> 00:22:00.519 can do the same because there's a big need for 00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:02.609 that. I didn't know about this, actually. So 00:22:02.609 --> 00:22:04.690 Arsenal are opening a mental health drop -in. 00:22:04.809 --> 00:22:08.730 I know about two weeks ago, an Arsenal fan from 00:22:08.730 --> 00:22:13.410 the Midlands, I think Wolverhampton, obviously 00:22:13.410 --> 00:22:18.190 sadly passed away from mental health. So I reckon 00:22:18.190 --> 00:22:20.670 that's probably had something to do with the 00:22:20.670 --> 00:22:25.990 club's decision to start this initiative. But 00:22:25.990 --> 00:22:28.170 yeah, while I'm here, I want to just use this 00:22:28.170 --> 00:22:31.900 moment to... pay my respects and consolances 00:22:31.900 --> 00:22:36.119 to Ricky Hatton, who sadly passed away last Sunday. 00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:41.920 You know, he was a big... He was, you know... 00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:47.099 I was a big fan of his growing up. One fight 00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:50.000 of his that stood out to me was his victory against 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:52.799 Costa Zoo, but the one that stood out to me was 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:56.940 the Mayweather fight, classic. You know, he always 00:22:56.940 --> 00:23:01.170 got the... He always had a big, big, big following, 00:23:01.289 --> 00:23:05.529 like a proper people's man, nice guy, down to 00:23:05.529 --> 00:23:07.829 earth, humble. All the comments have said it, 00:23:07.849 --> 00:23:11.329 you know, sums it up really what kind of person 00:23:11.329 --> 00:23:14.769 he was. So I just want to pay homage to Ricky 00:23:14.769 --> 00:23:18.569 Hatton now that we're on this mental health segment 00:23:18.569 --> 00:23:23.630 of this interview. On how aware he was that Tim 00:23:23.630 --> 00:23:26.839 Lewis would be leaving. I was aware in certain 00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:29.460 moments. I had various discussions with Josh 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:32.339 Kwanke especially and with the team. It's not 00:23:32.339 --> 00:23:34.220 the first time that it's happened since I've 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:37.180 been here. Again, incredible gratitude towards 00:23:37.180 --> 00:23:39.880 Tim, what he's done for the club and what he's 00:23:39.880 --> 00:23:42.559 done for the team and myself personally as well. 00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:45.259 Everybody's in different phases of their lives 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:48.480 and requires different things. Interesting. The 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:52.640 last sentence of that. It's very interesting. 00:23:52.819 --> 00:23:55.079 Everyone's in different phases of their lives 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:58.960 and requires different things. Well, I think 00:23:58.960 --> 00:24:04.160 his next destination would be interesting. So 00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:08.440 we'll find out what Arteta's alluding to, depending 00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:12.000 on where he goes, on what it means for the future. 00:24:13.139 --> 00:24:15.799 Wonderful future. That's the only thing that 00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:18.720 I can say. I'm so positive about it. And every 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:21.799 time I speak to Stan and Josh and how willing 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:24.059 they are, the projection they have, the vision 00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:26.839 they have for the football club, the people that 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:29.599 we have around it, there's no question that big 00:24:29.599 --> 00:24:32.920 things ahead. Well, I mean, they said unprecedented 00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:36.940 summer before the summer. And boy, did we have 00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:38.920 an unprecedented summer. We brought in eight 00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:43.309 quality signings. We've started the season. In 00:24:43.309 --> 00:24:45.150 a good way, I feel like we're starting to kind 00:24:45.150 --> 00:24:48.470 of get into our groove. Well, we can only confirm 00:24:48.470 --> 00:24:52.890 that with a win against Man City before we go 00:24:52.890 --> 00:24:55.230 to our bogey ground, Newcastle. So I think the 00:24:55.230 --> 00:24:58.609 next few games, we'll really kind of see where 00:24:58.609 --> 00:25:02.170 we're at. But yeah, for me, we've had a good, 00:25:02.190 --> 00:25:04.509 solid start to the season and we're looking poised 00:25:04.509 --> 00:25:09.359 to challenge for this league once again. on the 00:25:09.359 --> 00:25:12.039 changes at executive level since he's been manager. 00:25:12.380 --> 00:25:15.160 It's my first managerial job, so I don't know 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:18.289 if that's a lot. or very little the experience 00:25:18.289 --> 00:25:21.269 that i've had what i can say is i've been very 00:25:21.269 --> 00:25:23.549 lucky to work with some wonderful people that 00:25:23.549 --> 00:25:26.509 i've learned so much from it's sad because we 00:25:26.509 --> 00:25:29.529 spend so much time together very important people 00:25:29.529 --> 00:25:32.210 that will be part of the football club of my 00:25:32.210 --> 00:25:35.170 life as well personally because you get really 00:25:35.170 --> 00:25:37.630 attached to them emotionally as well and their 00:25:37.630 --> 00:25:40.670 families you have to move on maintain that personal 00:25:40.670 --> 00:25:43.369 relationship for sure people have gone on to 00:25:43.369 --> 00:25:46.539 do various jobs Some of them have been very successful 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:50.579 in other places and wish them all the best. So, 00:25:50.619 --> 00:25:52.180 yeah, I mean, there's a lot of talk about this 00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:55.900 board level changes and whatnot, but I don't 00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:58.759 really want to go too much into that. or whether 00:25:58.759 --> 00:26:01.440 he wants to harness the positive feeling from 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:05.160 Martinelli and Troshard. Yes, it certainly does 00:26:05.160 --> 00:26:07.859 because when players are in that state, I think 00:26:07.859 --> 00:26:10.559 they have to be used and they have to be recognised. 00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:13.180 There's a lot of players in a really good moment 00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:16.019 performing really well and that's what we want. 00:26:16.180 --> 00:26:18.519 Whenever we need them, I'm sure they'll be at 00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:21.319 their best. Yeah, I mean, the type of character 00:26:21.319 --> 00:26:23.759 that Leandro Troshard is, he wouldn't be happy 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:27.569 being on the bench, let alone... Coming off the 00:26:27.569 --> 00:26:31.250 bench and then scoring and then the next game 00:26:31.250 --> 00:26:34.349 being on the bench again because Trossard is 00:26:34.349 --> 00:26:36.529 not going to start against Man City. However, 00:26:36.650 --> 00:26:39.970 I do think Trossard will start against Port Vale 00:26:39.970 --> 00:26:42.809 as the centre forward with Martinelli on the 00:26:42.809 --> 00:26:47.890 left wing. And then, so yeah, that just means 00:26:47.890 --> 00:26:50.930 that someone's going to be disappointed, like 00:26:50.930 --> 00:26:54.559 I mentioned earlier. But yeah, it's good to see 00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:56.980 players coming off the bench, proving a point. 00:26:57.079 --> 00:26:59.140 All you can do is kind of prove a point with 00:26:59.140 --> 00:27:04.599 goals and assists and good performances. On facing 00:27:04.599 --> 00:27:07.619 Haaland, there are a lot of things that you have 00:27:07.619 --> 00:27:09.559 to get right. He's a player who doesn't need 00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:12.539 much space, much time or situations to generate 00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:15.599 big chances, especially in and around the box. 00:27:16.099 --> 00:27:18.579 Sometimes preventing the source is the best thing 00:27:18.579 --> 00:27:22.059 to do and we have to do it again. Well, I mean, 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:26.740 whenever Olin Haaland comes up against us, especially 00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:30.759 Gabriel, he's usually well -martialed by Gabriel 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:34.799 Saliba. When Arteta mentions the source, he's 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:37.759 probably talking about the likes of Rodri, Bernardo 00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:40.140 Silva, obviously Kevin De Bruyne has left the 00:27:40.140 --> 00:27:44.319 club. But the thing is, the best way to stop 00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:47.079 the source is for you to have the ball, for us 00:27:47.079 --> 00:27:50.660 to be... pressing them to be taking centre of 00:27:50.660 --> 00:27:53.200 the ring and to be taking the game to Man City. 00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:56.579 So once all those things happen, we don't have 00:27:56.579 --> 00:27:58.359 to worry about the source because we have the 00:27:58.359 --> 00:28:03.400 ball. On if the current defensive quality is 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:05.799 the benchmark. It's certainly what we're doing 00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:08.460 today and what we have to do on Sunday and the 00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:10.700 following games. There's still a lot of things 00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:13.940 we can improve and we're very aware, but it's 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:16.599 a very big foundation to achieve what we want. 00:28:17.879 --> 00:28:20.720 Yeah, I mean, that defence is a strong, strong 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:24.420 defence. We've got Ben White, Timber, Mosquera, 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:30.000 Saliba, Incapier, Gabriel, Luis Skelly and Calafiori 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:35.220 to name but a few. I mean, one player gets injured, 00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:38.799 the other will slot in and it helps that. And 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:42.299 a lot of those players can play in two or three 00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:46.420 positions, which... shows the versatility and 00:28:46.420 --> 00:28:49.839 quality of each player in the squad. On whether 00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:53.019 he wants Eze to be a touchline winger, it depends 00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:55.880 on the positioning in one space or another. It's 00:28:55.880 --> 00:28:58.460 never the same. The space and the difficulty 00:28:58.460 --> 00:29:01.039 of the opponent will be different in what we 00:29:01.039 --> 00:29:03.299 want and what we want to accomplish with that. 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:05.759 Well, I just want to quickly say, Ebreche Eze 00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:08.460 is not a touchline winger. Never has been, never 00:29:08.460 --> 00:29:10.990 will be. Hasn't got the pace to do it. but he 00:29:10.990 --> 00:29:13.970 has the quality to play on the wing, to come 00:29:13.970 --> 00:29:17.390 off the wing, similar to Sami Nasri, what he 00:29:17.390 --> 00:29:21.990 used to do, kind of... being in the inside left 00:29:21.990 --> 00:29:24.089 position kind of thing, he ain't going to get 00:29:24.089 --> 00:29:28.109 chalk on his boots like Martinelli or Madueke 00:29:28.109 --> 00:29:30.390 will get. But what he will do is he'll come inside, 00:29:30.589 --> 00:29:32.529 link up with the number 10 if he isn't playing 00:29:32.529 --> 00:29:34.670 there, link up with the centre forward, get shots 00:29:34.670 --> 00:29:37.309 away, be a threat and a thorn in our position 00:29:37.309 --> 00:29:40.349 side. I think that's how and where you get the 00:29:40.349 --> 00:29:43.710 best out of Eze. on whether it depends on who 00:29:43.710 --> 00:29:46.609 the fullback is. Yes, depending on where that 00:29:46.609 --> 00:29:49.650 man is defending, especially if it's our left 00:29:49.650 --> 00:29:53.849 or right side, maybe the opposite side. If they're 00:29:53.849 --> 00:29:56.430 attacking between their lines, especially if 00:29:56.430 --> 00:29:58.930 it's higher or deeper, there's quite a lot of 00:29:58.930 --> 00:30:00.950 things to consider before we make that decision. 00:30:02.609 --> 00:30:06.170 So, yeah, I mean, I still stick with what I said. 00:30:06.509 --> 00:30:10.259 Ebreche Eze is not a touchline winger. What you 00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:13.539 want is to get him away from the touchline, as 00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:15.920 far away from the touchline as possible. So whether 00:30:15.920 --> 00:30:19.980 he's dribbling inside, kind of pulling the right 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:23.500 back out of position, that's probably what you 00:30:23.500 --> 00:30:26.259 want him to do. And kind of one twos with the 00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:30.819 number 10 if he isn't there. Yeah, so on Myles 00:30:30.819 --> 00:30:33.920 Lewis Skelly's celebration last season. That 00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:36.519 was done. That's it. That's part of it. There 00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:38.859 have been a lot of celebrations or non -celebrations 00:30:38.859 --> 00:30:41.220 in the past from a lot of teams. The experience 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:43.720 is to learn and grow as well. And we certainly 00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:46.559 learned from that. Yeah, I find this subject 00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:49.900 with Myles Lewis Skelly, Haaland, their kind 00:30:49.900 --> 00:30:53.539 of feud, should I say, interesting because obviously 00:30:53.539 --> 00:30:56.519 whenever Lewis Skelly does interviews, I think 00:30:56.519 --> 00:31:01.200 there's a clear kind of message. The interviewee 00:31:01.200 --> 00:31:03.480 has been briefed not to speak about the holding 00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:07.319 situation, clearly, because I've never heard 00:31:07.319 --> 00:31:09.339 him being asked about it. But what I will say 00:31:09.339 --> 00:31:12.079 is that celebration just told you all you need 00:31:12.079 --> 00:31:14.720 to know about the boy's character, and I love 00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:19.200 it. I love it. On whether City are contenders 00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:22.240 this season, I think so. Without a doubt, knowing 00:31:22.240 --> 00:31:25.259 Pep really well. And the demands he puts on his 00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:27.700 players, the mentality they have in this football 00:31:27.700 --> 00:31:30.140 club, the squad and the players that they have, 00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:33.599 I think so for sure. But wait a minute, isn't 00:31:33.599 --> 00:31:35.640 this the same Mikel Arteta that said there's 00:31:35.640 --> 00:31:38.440 eight teams that could win the league? So if 00:31:38.440 --> 00:31:40.700 you're not sure if Man City are one of them, 00:31:40.839 --> 00:31:44.680 then who are these eight teams? We know Liverpool 00:31:44.680 --> 00:31:47.019 and Arsenal are one of them, or two of them. 00:31:47.920 --> 00:31:50.680 So where are the other six teams?