WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.720 Hello and welcome to HYBR1D, Powered by chinkseyMEDIA. 00:00:03.720 --> 00:00:07.459 Back again for every word from Mikel Arteta's 00:00:07.459 --> 00:00:11.500 pre -Aston Villa presser, where he talks about 00:00:11.500 --> 00:00:14.960 the title, potential title decider, Arsenal's 00:00:14.960 --> 00:00:18.559 January transfer plans and more. Here is every 00:00:18.559 --> 00:00:22.019 word from Mikel Arteta's pre -match press conference 00:00:22.019 --> 00:00:24.100 ahead of Arsenal's Premier League match with 00:00:24.100 --> 00:00:28.300 Aston Villa. Mikel Arteta faced the media ahead 00:00:28.300 --> 00:00:30.620 of Arsenal's Premier League title -defining clash 00:00:30.620 --> 00:00:33.700 with Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium. The 00:00:33.700 --> 00:00:36.280 Gunners were beaten by Unai Emery's side less 00:00:36.280 --> 00:00:39.479 than a month ago. Arteta spoke to the press in 00:00:39.479 --> 00:00:41.539 the wake of yet another victory in the league 00:00:41.539 --> 00:00:46.200 as a Martin Odegaard goal and a Jorginho Ruta 00:00:46.200 --> 00:00:49.780 own goal. gave the Gunners a 2 -1 win over Brighton. 00:00:49.859 --> 00:00:52.380 With days until the January transfer windows 00:00:52.380 --> 00:00:56.259 opening, this was yet another focus of the Spaniards' 00:00:56.359 --> 00:00:58.679 press conference too. Here's every word from 00:00:58.679 --> 00:01:01.100 the press conference. A huge game against Villa 00:01:01.100 --> 00:01:03.380 coming up. You're having a great run of goals 00:01:03.380 --> 00:01:05.920 going in your favour at the moment. Is that good 00:01:05.920 --> 00:01:08.219 luck or is that a sign of the pressure you're 00:01:08.219 --> 00:01:11.140 putting your focus on? Well, that's what we want. 00:01:11.599 --> 00:01:14.609 That every opponent... that comes here, suffers. 00:01:14.870 --> 00:01:16.709 And we are as dominant as we were today for the 00:01:16.709 --> 00:01:18.989 majority of the game. And against Villa, we have 00:01:18.989 --> 00:01:22.930 a really tough match. We know them, what they're 00:01:22.930 --> 00:01:25.769 doing, and a beautiful game as well to prepare 00:01:25.769 --> 00:01:29.590 for and play. Yeah, I mean, Villa have proved 00:01:29.590 --> 00:01:33.569 to be a tough nut to crack in recent years for 00:01:33.569 --> 00:01:36.650 us and in recent months for them in terms of 00:01:36.650 --> 00:01:39.329 the fact that they were in such a phenomenal 00:01:39.329 --> 00:01:42.349 winning run where they amassed so many wins. 00:01:44.569 --> 00:01:47.590 But it's an opportunity for us to make a statement 00:01:47.590 --> 00:01:50.390 and show what we're capable of doing. Also to 00:01:50.390 --> 00:01:53.469 create some leeway between us and Villa and third. 00:01:53.790 --> 00:01:56.450 Increase the gap from three points to six points 00:01:56.450 --> 00:01:59.230 with goal difference on our side. And also put 00:01:59.230 --> 00:02:01.129 the pressure on Manchester City who have a tough 00:02:01.129 --> 00:02:03.670 game against Sunderland coming up. So I see it 00:02:03.670 --> 00:02:05.709 more of an opportunity. I wouldn't call Villa 00:02:05.709 --> 00:02:08.050 a bogey side because I think they're too good 00:02:08.050 --> 00:02:10.330 a side to be our bogey side. I think bogey sides 00:02:10.330 --> 00:02:13.610 would be... A team that you should really be 00:02:13.610 --> 00:02:15.650 winning against, but for some reason you struggle 00:02:15.650 --> 00:02:18.069 against. Whereas Aston Villa are a very good 00:02:18.069 --> 00:02:20.930 side. You know, they're top five, six side. So 00:02:20.930 --> 00:02:22.930 they're just a good side that can beat anyone 00:02:22.930 --> 00:02:26.750 really. So, yeah. That's the way I summarise 00:02:26.750 --> 00:02:28.689 that. It's not long since you played Villa and 00:02:28.689 --> 00:02:31.550 lost to them. What leads to a change? And what 00:02:31.550 --> 00:02:33.830 did you learn from that game? We'll watch it 00:02:33.830 --> 00:02:36.310 back. I have a few ideas and things that we have 00:02:36.310 --> 00:02:38.990 to do better. And it was quite cruel as well, 00:02:39.090 --> 00:02:41.409 the way we lost it. But yeah, we learned from 00:02:41.409 --> 00:02:43.990 it. Well, I think the main reason I remember 00:02:43.990 --> 00:02:47.430 saying in the press conference analysis of that 00:02:47.430 --> 00:02:50.469 game, that just the fact that we made so many 00:02:50.469 --> 00:02:55.710 changes, it affected the way we usually... line 00:02:55.710 --> 00:02:58.610 up and defend and our shape, especially with 00:02:58.610 --> 00:03:02.169 Gabriel Magales out of that team, also drew in 00:03:02.169 --> 00:03:04.270 Timba, I believe, was injured in that game. So 00:03:04.270 --> 00:03:06.310 knowing that both players would have returned 00:03:06.310 --> 00:03:08.610 for the return game, I'm expecting a different 00:03:08.610 --> 00:03:12.530 outcome because my belief is a team with Raya, 00:03:12.750 --> 00:03:17.810 Timba, Saliba, Gabriel, either Hinkapie or Calafiori, 00:03:17.830 --> 00:03:20.770 Martin Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice. 00:03:21.370 --> 00:03:24.949 Bukayo Saka, either Jokeres, Jesus, Havertz, 00:03:24.949 --> 00:03:29.370 and either Trossard or Martinelli can beat any 00:03:29.370 --> 00:03:31.949 team, should beat any team even. You know, I 00:03:31.949 --> 00:03:36.569 think that team, that 11 or 13, stroke 13 players. 00:03:37.319 --> 00:03:39.939 is the best team in Europe we know how much the 00:03:39.939 --> 00:03:42.539 club invested in the summer and how deep the 00:03:42.539 --> 00:03:45.780 squad is when players are fit but players aren't 00:03:45.780 --> 00:03:47.960 fit at the back and January is coming around 00:03:47.960 --> 00:03:50.719 quite soon is there a chance you think you can 00:03:50.719 --> 00:03:53.020 look in January for maybe more defensive options 00:03:53.020 --> 00:03:56.379 I don't know We're going to be really obviously 00:03:56.379 --> 00:03:58.800 aware of the situation and the timescale of certain 00:03:58.800 --> 00:04:01.780 players. If going from the front line, then to 00:04:01.780 --> 00:04:03.520 the back line, but that's the depth that you 00:04:03.520 --> 00:04:05.860 need. And when you look across to other clubs 00:04:05.860 --> 00:04:09.719 as well, they have 24, 25 squad players. And 00:04:09.719 --> 00:04:11.740 so there's nothing, especially in our squad. 00:04:12.139 --> 00:04:14.620 The thing is, although we have more injuries 00:04:14.620 --> 00:04:17.139 than expected, some of them not avoidable, I 00:04:17.139 --> 00:04:20.089 would say, but we want to be better. And we know 00:04:20.089 --> 00:04:22.709 how important the part of having the right availability 00:04:22.709 --> 00:04:26.129 with players going to play in the season. Injuries, 00:04:26.129 --> 00:04:28.110 where it started off with all our attackers getting 00:04:28.110 --> 00:04:29.949 injured, now they're all coming back. In fact, 00:04:29.990 --> 00:04:33.490 they're all back. And now all our defenders seem 00:04:33.490 --> 00:04:36.129 to be getting injured. But gradually, some of 00:04:36.129 --> 00:04:37.970 them are coming back. So obviously, Ben White 00:04:37.970 --> 00:04:42.050 has come back. Gabriel has come back. We're just 00:04:42.050 --> 00:04:44.790 waiting on Mascara now. Calafiori's went down 00:04:44.790 --> 00:04:47.470 a few times in recent weeks. But I've always 00:04:47.470 --> 00:04:50.189 said that I think the position we do need to 00:04:50.189 --> 00:04:52.629 strengthen in, if we were to, is a midfielder. 00:04:52.889 --> 00:04:55.290 I think we need another body in centre midfield, 00:04:55.389 --> 00:04:58.610 although Mikel might look at it and say Kai Havertz 00:04:58.610 --> 00:05:03.009 can cover midfield, as can people like Wanyeri 00:05:03.009 --> 00:05:05.269 and Marino. But the fact that he's not playing 00:05:05.269 --> 00:05:08.790 Wanyeri much is quite telling. And I'll be surprised 00:05:08.790 --> 00:05:12.430 if he's still here come the end of January. Because 00:05:12.430 --> 00:05:16.410 I think he'll leave on loan. So you don't feel 00:05:16.410 --> 00:05:20.089 like the squad is full. There's space for more 00:05:20.089 --> 00:05:22.430 if you need it. Depending, as I said, on the 00:05:22.430 --> 00:05:25.350 availability of certain players. So the window 00:05:25.350 --> 00:05:28.410 is there. I mean, we're Arsenal and we have to 00:05:28.410 --> 00:05:31.550 be looking at it. Okay, what do we need? And 00:05:31.550 --> 00:05:34.550 we have to be actively looking. And then, can 00:05:34.550 --> 00:05:37.470 we do it or not? That's a different story. But 00:05:37.470 --> 00:05:39.949 our job is to always be very prepared because 00:05:39.949 --> 00:05:43.310 something can happen. So hopefully very positive. 00:05:43.509 --> 00:05:46.829 So that means yes, no, and maybe at the same 00:05:46.829 --> 00:05:49.930 time. So that paragraph is not really saying 00:05:49.930 --> 00:05:52.129 much. There's obviously a feeling that it will 00:05:52.129 --> 00:05:54.649 be between Arsenal and Manchester City for the 00:05:54.649 --> 00:05:57.670 title. Obviously, Aston Villa are in third position. 00:05:57.870 --> 00:06:02.069 Do you think that they are genuine title contenders 00:06:02.069 --> 00:06:04.230 with you and Manchester City? Well, they're meant 00:06:04.230 --> 00:06:06.459 to be there. Look what they are doing and how 00:06:06.459 --> 00:06:09.100 consistent they've been, what Unai has done with 00:06:09.100 --> 00:06:11.500 the club. So I think they fully deserve that 00:06:11.500 --> 00:06:13.779 credit because they are doing it on the pitch 00:06:13.779 --> 00:06:17.899 where you have to show your level. Well, I mean, 00:06:17.920 --> 00:06:20.959 Unai Emery clearly has the bit between his teeth, 00:06:21.220 --> 00:06:24.500 clearly wants to beat Arsenal, clearly loves 00:06:24.500 --> 00:06:27.540 beating Arsenal and clearly has a chip on his 00:06:27.540 --> 00:06:30.180 shoulder from the way he was treated, perhaps. 00:06:30.279 --> 00:06:35.189 I say treated in quotation marks. whilst at Arsenal, 00:06:35.250 --> 00:06:38.269 especially the latter part of his tenure, and 00:06:38.269 --> 00:06:41.410 obviously after being sacked, clearly hurt his 00:06:41.410 --> 00:06:44.230 ego. Every time he's played Arsenal since, he's 00:06:44.230 --> 00:06:47.509 done some damage to us in some shape or form, 00:06:47.569 --> 00:06:49.269 whether it was knocking us out of the Europa 00:06:49.269 --> 00:06:52.370 League in the semifinals with Villarreal, or 00:06:52.370 --> 00:06:55.319 whether it was... crucial victories at the emirates 00:06:55.319 --> 00:06:58.060 or against arsenal in recent years most notably 00:06:58.060 --> 00:07:01.899 the 2 -0 victory at the emirates in april 2024 00:07:01.899 --> 00:07:04.920 and just one on victor it's now seven games without 00:07:04.920 --> 00:07:07.379 a goal in open play are you concerned at all 00:07:07.379 --> 00:07:10.000 about that i know you've spoken about him a lot 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:12.290 but is that Yeah, because we want him to score. 00:07:12.709 --> 00:07:15.649 Obviously, he had a few chances, a few great 00:07:15.649 --> 00:07:18.990 positions. The ball didn't arrive. So keep insisting 00:07:18.990 --> 00:07:21.269 is the only way. I'm worried about Victor Yocarez 00:07:21.269 --> 00:07:23.829 now, you know, because I keep saying the movement's 00:07:23.829 --> 00:07:26.470 not the greatest. And I think he needs to move 00:07:26.470 --> 00:07:29.089 because the defenders are bullying him. He's 00:07:29.089 --> 00:07:32.689 easy to mark. And also for the players like Saka, 00:07:32.889 --> 00:07:35.790 Trossard, to be able to find him, to be able 00:07:35.790 --> 00:07:38.069 to connect with him, he needs to move. He needs 00:07:38.069 --> 00:07:40.569 to make runs to make him difficult to mark. I'm 00:07:40.569 --> 00:07:42.810 worried because he's getting out -muscled. He's 00:07:42.810 --> 00:07:45.170 supposed to be strong. Because he's top -heavy, 00:07:45.310 --> 00:07:47.509 he can't run past players. So it's like, what 00:07:47.509 --> 00:07:49.769 is his main asset? Because his main assets are 00:07:49.769 --> 00:07:51.930 being neutralised. He's been halted. Especially 00:07:51.930 --> 00:07:55.430 now that Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, the cavalry 00:07:55.430 --> 00:07:57.829 are on the horizon. So I'm really worried about 00:07:57.829 --> 00:07:59.949 Victor Jokeres going forward now, actually. What's 00:07:59.949 --> 00:08:02.910 on transfers in terms of outgoings, given we've 00:08:02.910 --> 00:08:05.470 seen a situation where players can go down? Would 00:08:05.470 --> 00:08:07.509 it make you reluctant to let anyone leave the 00:08:07.509 --> 00:08:22.149 club in January? Again, we assess... Yeah, I 00:08:22.149 --> 00:08:25.750 mean, like I said already, I'm anticipating Arsenal 00:08:25.750 --> 00:08:29.170 loaning out Ethan Waniere, especially because 00:08:29.170 --> 00:08:31.569 I think... He's going to go to Bournemouth and 00:08:31.569 --> 00:08:34.389 replace Antoine Semenya. And also, I think Kai 00:08:34.389 --> 00:08:37.470 Havertz will probably feature in midfield quite 00:08:37.470 --> 00:08:39.610 a bit in the second half of the season. That 00:08:39.610 --> 00:08:42.769 also creates an opening and an opportunity to 00:08:42.769 --> 00:08:45.250 potentially get a central midfielder in as well. 00:08:45.370 --> 00:08:47.149 And with the Villa game that I'm watching back, 00:08:47.370 --> 00:08:49.730 you said that it can be cruel. But sometimes, 00:08:49.970 --> 00:08:52.620 can it be positive? for the players to watch 00:08:52.620 --> 00:08:55.179 it back. If you use that motivation and that 00:08:55.179 --> 00:08:57.279 hunger in the right manner, then for sure, and 00:08:57.279 --> 00:08:59.279 it did prove to be the case. Hello and welcome 00:08:59.279 --> 00:09:02.539 to Hybrid, powered by Chinksy Media. Back again 00:09:02.539 --> 00:09:06.960 for every word from Mikel Arteta's post -Aston 00:09:06.960 --> 00:09:10.320 Villa presser. After seeing us beat Aston Villa 00:09:10.320 --> 00:09:12.500 to remain at the top of the Premier League table, 00:09:12.700 --> 00:09:15.139 where we always were going to remain at the top, 00:09:15.139 --> 00:09:18.279 no matter what the result, Mikel Arteta was soon 00:09:18.279 --> 00:09:21.610 in front of the media. in attendance at the Emirates 00:09:21.610 --> 00:09:25.870 Stadium to discuss a good night's work. He spoke 00:09:25.870 --> 00:09:29.389 about why we recorded such a big win, key performances 00:09:29.389 --> 00:09:32.850 from Martin Odegaard, Gabriel and Martin Zubimendi, 00:09:32.990 --> 00:09:36.789 the month, and provided an update on Declan Rice's 00:09:36.789 --> 00:09:39.490 injury. It was everything he had to say. On the 00:09:39.490 --> 00:09:42.870 result. I'm so happy. We play every three days. 00:09:42.950 --> 00:09:45.669 We played an opponent today that comes from 11 00:09:45.669 --> 00:09:48.970 wins in a row. A superb team. Very difficult 00:09:48.970 --> 00:09:51.289 to play against. And we knew that we were going 00:09:51.289 --> 00:09:53.730 to have periods throughout the game. We talked 00:09:53.730 --> 00:09:55.929 about how demanding it was going to be emotionally. 00:09:56.169 --> 00:09:58.950 And we struggled in the first 10 minutes, arriving 00:09:58.950 --> 00:10:01.549 a bit late. They were playing through us and 00:10:01.549 --> 00:10:04.909 creating some open space situations that they 00:10:04.909 --> 00:10:07.950 are very dangerous at. Then we adjusted, got 00:10:07.950 --> 00:10:10.850 a bit more control. Two big chances by Victor 00:10:10.850 --> 00:10:13.570 and one scrappy situation inside the box. But 00:10:13.570 --> 00:10:16.899 we didn't manage to score. In the second half, 00:10:17.080 --> 00:10:20.000 we clicked. Everything went much better, timings 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:22.220 were better, and the individual duels were fulfilled 00:10:22.220 --> 00:10:25.179 in an extraordinary way. So efficient in everything 00:10:25.179 --> 00:10:27.720 that we did. Unlike the last few games where 00:10:27.720 --> 00:10:30.299 we had so many big situations, today we were 00:10:30.299 --> 00:10:32.860 very prolific and accurate to make the difference. 00:10:33.059 --> 00:10:35.320 Yeah, I mean, in recent games we've been criticised 00:10:35.320 --> 00:10:37.639 for being profligate quotation marks, relying 00:10:37.639 --> 00:10:41.580 on own goals and set pieces. However, yesterday 00:10:41.580 --> 00:10:45.399 we only scored one set piece. We were very prolific. 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:50.720 And we rode a storm. Tough first half. It wasn't 00:10:50.720 --> 00:10:53.620 great. It was poor, in fact. Second half showed 00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:56.399 our mettle. Obviously, I always say set pieces 00:10:56.399 --> 00:10:59.360 is a good weapon of armoury to have in your arsenal, 00:10:59.419 --> 00:11:02.620 especially opening up stingy, pragmatic sides 00:11:02.620 --> 00:11:06.250 such as Aston Villa. We had a similar situation 00:11:06.250 --> 00:11:09.070 against Atletico Madrid where I'd say the game 00:11:09.070 --> 00:11:12.610 was effectively a carbon copy where it took set 00:11:12.610 --> 00:11:14.970 piece to open them up. And then after that, we 00:11:14.970 --> 00:11:17.090 got in time and time again and put them to the 00:11:17.090 --> 00:11:19.350 sword. On the importance of the win, especially 00:11:19.350 --> 00:11:22.169 when you play against a team that is in such 00:11:22.169 --> 00:11:25.870 a moment, they are really good. They are extremely 00:11:25.870 --> 00:11:30.629 well coached. Very clear what they want to do, 00:11:30.750 --> 00:11:33.330 how they want to hurt you, and they are very 00:11:33.330 --> 00:11:36.309 efficient at it. So they can drive you into a 00:11:36.309 --> 00:11:38.889 game that is constantly a very thin line and 00:11:38.889 --> 00:11:41.529 you have to navigate it. It can be uncomfortable 00:11:41.529 --> 00:11:44.990 navigating through that. And we did it in a difficult 00:11:44.990 --> 00:11:47.909 moment. And then we took the opportunities in 00:11:47.909 --> 00:11:50.809 a great way. Yeah, as I said, the first half 00:11:50.809 --> 00:11:54.870 was a really tough slog. It looked like we was 00:11:54.870 --> 00:11:57.009 getting opened up at ease. Aston Villa probably 00:11:57.009 --> 00:11:59.409 should have went into the second half ahead. 00:11:59.690 --> 00:12:02.830 However, a few tactical reshuffles, a few changes. 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:06.600 Changing mentality. We got the opener through 00:12:06.600 --> 00:12:09.019 Gabriel, then a second through Martin Zubimendi, 00:12:09.179 --> 00:12:11.080 and after the second went in, you knew we were 00:12:11.080 --> 00:12:13.419 going to win the game. Obviously, Trossard's 00:12:13.419 --> 00:12:18.419 goal icing on the cake. So, it's also incredible 00:12:18.419 --> 00:12:21.700 to have a player like Gabriel Jesus come back 00:12:21.700 --> 00:12:26.879 and score, you know? Especially after what I 00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:29.159 thought was his winner against Wolves, but it 00:12:29.159 --> 00:12:31.980 was an own goal. In recent weeks, he's come back 00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:34.980 and looked... Back to his best. He looks fully 00:12:34.980 --> 00:12:36.919 fit now. Against Crystal Palace, he was a bit 00:12:36.919 --> 00:12:39.120 rusty with his finishing. But now I think he's 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:41.899 not just in contention to start. He should start 00:12:41.899 --> 00:12:44.120 the next game against Bournemouth. On the period 00:12:44.120 --> 00:12:46.700 following Gabriel's opening goal, we wanted to 00:12:46.700 --> 00:12:49.620 continue to go on. We talked at half -time about 00:12:49.620 --> 00:12:51.600 the things that we would have to alter to be 00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:53.860 more efficient. But actually, after, you have 00:12:53.860 --> 00:12:56.919 to. You can smell blood. But after, you have 00:12:56.919 --> 00:13:00.070 to really grab it. And we did it. I think individually, 00:13:00.190 --> 00:13:03.750 we had some huge performances. We were very efficient 00:13:03.750 --> 00:13:06.289 in the final third attack in the box and that 00:13:06.289 --> 00:13:08.649 made the difference. Yes, Saliba was phenomenal. 00:13:08.870 --> 00:13:10.909 I mean, he made a great challenge in the first 00:13:10.909 --> 00:13:14.110 half that obviously it turned out to be offside, 00:13:14.210 --> 00:13:15.909 but he didn't know that. We didn't know that 00:13:15.909 --> 00:13:18.750 at the time. His mate, Gabriel, phenomenal. Best 00:13:18.750 --> 00:13:20.970 centre -back in the world. Got the opening goal, 00:13:21.070 --> 00:13:23.639 which was crucial once that goal went in. Villa 00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:25.899 had to come out more and we put them to the sword. 00:13:26.059 --> 00:13:28.240 Martin Odegaard, fantastic captain's performance. 00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:30.580 Since he's come back from injury, he's been back 00:13:30.580 --> 00:13:32.120 to his best and he's hit the ground running. 00:13:32.259 --> 00:13:34.379 He's keeping players like Eberreche, Eze and 00:13:34.379 --> 00:13:36.840 Ethan Waniere on the bench. Martin Zubimendi, 00:13:37.019 --> 00:13:39.820 a strong case for signing of the season. He's 00:13:39.820 --> 00:13:42.059 come in, replaced Thomas Partey, been phenomenal. 00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:44.519 Got a fantastic second goal and controlled the 00:13:44.519 --> 00:13:47.269 game as usual. Speaking of Martin Odegaard, on 00:13:47.269 --> 00:13:49.429 Martin Odegaard's performance, he needed some 00:13:49.429 --> 00:13:52.649 consistency and some games. Obviously, he had 00:13:52.649 --> 00:13:55.110 two times the shoulder injury, then he had the 00:13:55.110 --> 00:13:57.370 big knee injury, and that takes a little bit 00:13:57.370 --> 00:14:00.429 of time. Now you can see that it's flowing, that 00:14:00.429 --> 00:14:02.789 his energy level is back to where it is. He's 00:14:02.789 --> 00:14:05.129 taking risks, he's affecting the game in a great 00:14:05.129 --> 00:14:07.649 way, and I think he was really, really good again. 00:14:07.889 --> 00:14:09.970 Yeah, I mean, the better Odegaard plays, the 00:14:09.970 --> 00:14:12.409 more pressure Eberechi Eze is under. I mean, 00:14:12.450 --> 00:14:15.190 Eze has had some moments, some key games. where 00:14:15.190 --> 00:14:17.470 he scored the winner against Crystal Palace, 00:14:17.710 --> 00:14:20.110 his assist against Manchester City, his hat -trick 00:14:20.110 --> 00:14:22.570 against Tottenham will never be forgotten. Since 00:14:22.570 --> 00:14:25.389 and before then, struggled a little bit. We know 00:14:25.389 --> 00:14:28.509 left wing isn't for him, so now it begs the question. 00:14:28.690 --> 00:14:32.529 It's three from four with Eze, Odegaard, Declan 00:14:32.529 --> 00:14:34.990 Rice and Zubimendi. We know Declan Rice starts. 00:14:35.090 --> 00:14:37.710 We know Odegaard's the captain. And if he's on 00:14:37.710 --> 00:14:40.210 form playing like that, he starts. So now you've 00:14:40.210 --> 00:14:42.389 got to look at it and say, is it a courses for 00:14:42.389 --> 00:14:45.250 courses thing where... Eze and Zubimendi are 00:14:45.250 --> 00:14:48.110 sharing games and potentially you can go attacking, 00:14:48.289 --> 00:14:50.629 which I don't think Arteta would do and play 00:14:50.629 --> 00:14:54.370 Declan Rice, Odegaard and Eze. I really doubt 00:14:54.370 --> 00:14:56.830 that would happen. So effectively, you're saying 00:14:56.830 --> 00:15:00.230 Eze's got to play in the cup competitions, stroke 00:15:00.230 --> 00:15:03.009 coming on for Odegaard and seeing the game out 00:15:03.009 --> 00:15:05.129 and things like that. So, I mean, there's pressure 00:15:05.129 --> 00:15:06.850 on him. It's tough. This is what you play the 00:15:06.850 --> 00:15:09.029 game for. I'm sure he will come good in the second 00:15:09.029 --> 00:15:11.559 half of the season, on December as a whole. I 00:15:11.559 --> 00:15:14.059 always say that to continue to win, you have 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:16.799 to win in different contexts. Some games we did 00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:19.039 very good and the margins should have been much 00:15:19.039 --> 00:15:21.940 bigger and we didn't manage to do that. So we 00:15:21.940 --> 00:15:25.210 went for smaller margins. Today, maybe the margin 00:15:25.210 --> 00:15:27.509 wasn't that big. We made it big because we were 00:15:27.509 --> 00:15:30.110 extremely efficient and ruthless in the position 00:15:30.110 --> 00:15:33.409 box. And that's the way. And we won with a lot 00:15:33.409 --> 00:15:36.809 of injuries. Today, we lost Declan, Ricky. Some 00:15:36.809 --> 00:15:39.870 others have come back. Gabby Jesus comes in after 00:15:39.870 --> 00:15:41.950 such a long time without scoring a goal. And 00:15:41.950 --> 00:15:44.450 he scores a wonderful goal. Everybody is ready 00:15:44.450 --> 00:15:46.450 to contribute. And that's great. And the great 00:15:46.450 --> 00:15:48.990 thing is Ben White and Kai Havertz are back as 00:15:48.990 --> 00:15:51.649 well. Hopefully Declan Rice and Calafiori can 00:15:51.649 --> 00:15:54.370 return to be in contention for Bournemouth on 00:15:54.370 --> 00:15:57.049 Saturday. On Gabriel's performance, he comes 00:15:57.049 --> 00:15:59.330 back from an injury of six weeks that probably 00:15:59.330 --> 00:16:01.590 should have been a bit longer. He plays against 00:16:01.590 --> 00:16:03.870 probably the team that is the hardest to control, 00:16:04.009 --> 00:16:06.190 especially the front players and the striker 00:16:06.190 --> 00:16:08.649 that they have in terms of their movements. And 00:16:08.649 --> 00:16:11.330 he impacted the game in an incredible way. with 00:16:11.330 --> 00:16:13.570 defending in the opposition box. That's probably 00:16:13.570 --> 00:16:16.370 true with Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rodgers being 00:16:16.370 --> 00:16:19.389 so hard to control, so hard to subdue. People 00:16:19.389 --> 00:16:22.350 like Amadou Onana, great movement, you know, 00:16:22.370 --> 00:16:25.289 a lot of strength, power in that team. Ezra Konsa. 00:16:25.350 --> 00:16:28.350 Aston Villa's a really powerful, energetic, athletic 00:16:28.350 --> 00:16:31.830 side. Rigid, pragmatic type of side. So we managed 00:16:31.830 --> 00:16:34.090 to beat a side like that with consummate ease 00:16:34.090 --> 00:16:36.850 shows that, like the manager loves to say, we're 00:16:36.850 --> 00:16:40.509 able to adapt to different contexts. and be the 00:16:40.509 --> 00:16:42.590 version of Arsenal that we need to be for that 00:16:42.590 --> 00:16:45.169 particular game to pick up the three points in 00:16:45.169 --> 00:16:47.350 any particular game or context. And we did that. 00:16:47.450 --> 00:16:50.250 On his post -match discussion with Unai Emery, 00:16:50.250 --> 00:16:52.610 you saw it, but it's okay. It's all good. It's 00:16:52.610 --> 00:16:55.090 okay. That's part of the game, and it's not an 00:16:55.090 --> 00:16:57.690 issue. I guess the less said, easier to mend. 00:16:57.929 --> 00:17:01.210 On if Declan Rice will return in time to face 00:17:01.210 --> 00:17:04.269 Bournemouth, it depends. The swelling has come 00:17:04.269 --> 00:17:06.690 right down for him to have a chance to function. 00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:11.099 He wasn't able to do that today. He's improving, 00:17:11.339 --> 00:17:13.660 but let's see what happens in the next couple 00:17:13.660 --> 00:17:18.759 of days. I'm anticipating Declan Rice may not 00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:21.200 play in that game, especially considering we've 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:23.279 got a tough game against Liverpool days later, 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:25.619 less than a week later than that, next Thursday. 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:27.599 I wouldn't be surprised if Declan Rice is on 00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:29.740 the bench or just doesn't feature at all so he 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:32.720 can now focus on his rehabilitation to be fully 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:35.140 fit for Liverpool. On why the team clicked tonight. 00:17:35.819 --> 00:17:37.859 When it happens normally, it's a lot of factors. 00:17:38.119 --> 00:17:41.160 And I think we were more aggressive and we were 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:44.000 more determined. At times, we were much better. 00:17:44.180 --> 00:17:46.400 And then it's about execution and just dealing, 00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:49.380 especially when you are man -to -man orientated. 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:53.059 It's winning that action, yes or no, that clicks 00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:55.599 everything and makes a difference. And we were 00:17:55.599 --> 00:17:57.740 very good in the second half doing that. Yeah, 00:17:57.759 --> 00:18:00.539 I mean, to score four goals, all four goals in 00:18:00.539 --> 00:18:03.109 the second half. After that... first half performance 00:18:03.109 --> 00:18:05.569 you gotta give props to the boys it just reminds 00:18:05.569 --> 00:18:08.910 me of the atletico madrid game where after the 00:18:08.910 --> 00:18:12.029 first goal went in they crumbled and we just 00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:15.200 tore them to shreds on what changed from the 00:18:15.200 --> 00:18:18.039 early stages of the game certainly our behavior 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:20.900 had to change because the moment you allow them 00:18:20.900 --> 00:18:23.460 to attack your back line it's a big problem because 00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:25.859 they have runners from inside they have people 00:18:25.859 --> 00:18:28.619 that can pick up passes from deep positions they 00:18:28.619 --> 00:18:30.559 have players in the last line that are excellent 00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:33.180 at making the runs pulling shoulders and attacking 00:18:33.180 --> 00:18:36.099 fullbacks you have to control that because every 00:18:36.099 --> 00:18:38.339 time you give the ball away they have the capacity 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:41.380 to do that. Yeah, as I said, on the counter -attack 00:18:41.380 --> 00:18:44.519 especially, they are a huge threat, but we managed 00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:48.140 to just about survive that first half so we could 00:18:48.140 --> 00:18:50.779 do what we did in the second half. On how the 00:18:50.779 --> 00:18:53.519 team dealt with Aston Villa's threats, I really 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:55.359 liked that because you're going to go through 00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:57.559 different patches and periods against top opposition 00:18:57.559 --> 00:19:00.640 like Villa, and then you still have the ability 00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:03.180 to come out in the game and the chance to win 00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:05.779 it. And we did. Yeah, it's one of our best performances 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:08.500 of the season. Probably the most crucial game 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:11.380 of the season so far. So now it's over to Manchester 00:19:11.380 --> 00:19:14.119 City, who play tomorrow, to see what it takes 00:19:14.119 --> 00:19:16.859 to go to such a tough place like the Stadium 00:19:16.859 --> 00:19:19.700 of Light and have the beat. Sunderland just to 00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:21.920 get the gap narrowed back down to two points 00:19:21.920 --> 00:19:25.539 on the confidence in the squad it's belief it's 00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:28.480 energy as well because they put in so much we're 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:31.000 playing every two and a half days the schedule 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:34.119 is very very demanding we have some very tough 00:19:34.119 --> 00:19:36.759 matches and injuries but the players are still 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:39.940 winning so winning helps all that all the sacrifices 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:42.140 and commitment that he put in gets reflected 00:19:42.140 --> 00:19:45.160 in results and great performances and that's 00:19:45.160 --> 00:19:48.109 so satisfying but we know There's still so much 00:19:48.109 --> 00:19:50.589 to play for. It's a great way to end the year. 00:19:50.849 --> 00:19:53.089 That's for sure. And tomorrow we'll have a good 00:19:53.089 --> 00:19:55.470 night with our families. And then the next day 00:19:55.470 --> 00:19:57.890 we are in and we have to go to Bournemouth. And 00:19:57.890 --> 00:19:59.690 we know what that means. We definitely do know 00:19:59.690 --> 00:20:02.069 what that means. I mean, playing Bournemouth 00:20:02.069 --> 00:20:04.329 is going to be an interesting game because one, 00:20:04.410 --> 00:20:06.369 it's the only team that we haven't faced this 00:20:06.369 --> 00:20:10.750 season. Two, we lost two times to them last season, 00:20:10.869 --> 00:20:13.609 home and away, 2 -0 at the Vitality Stadium. 00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:17.259 I'm 2 -1 at the Emirates in the game I was there. 00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:20.519 So also the caveat of the fact that Antoine Semenya, 00:20:20.619 --> 00:20:23.339 a huge Arsenal fan, either will be at Bournemouth 00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:25.400 and be playing, if not his last game, one of 00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:27.420 his last games for the club as he prepares to 00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:29.619 join Manchester City, or he won't be in a squad 00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:32.259 because one of two reasons. He's not in the right 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:34.220 frame of mind to play and doesn't want to risk 00:20:34.220 --> 00:20:37.240 injury. Or two, he's joined Man City already. 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:40.539 So that Bournemouth game, the team that isn't 00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:42.539 in the greatest of forms, will be an interesting 00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:47.039 one for me. On Martin Zubimendi's season so far, 00:20:47.200 --> 00:20:50.539 I've mentioned a lot of times that it's a position 00:20:50.539 --> 00:20:53.160 that is very, very difficult to make an impact. 00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:56.400 And in the manner that he's done it, so early, 00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:59.920 so credit to him. Credit to his teammates as 00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:02.759 well and how easy they made it for him. and make 00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:05.140 it for him. Today, he's done something that, 00:21:05.200 --> 00:21:07.960 in my opinion, he has the ability to do. He's 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:10.480 arrived at the right moment, attacking the box 00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:13.279 and finalising actions, and he did it with such 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:15.859 composure. Martin Zubimendi has been a phenomenal 00:21:15.859 --> 00:21:19.519 asset, phenomenal purchase from the club. He's 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:21.819 come in, hit the ground running, been one of 00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:24.779 our key players. And obviously, Mikel Arteta 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:26.539 used to play in this position, so he'll know 00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.240 what he's talking about.