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London Colney

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta previews their Premier League match away at Brighton

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00:18Good morning everyone, hope everyone's well.
00:23We'll kick off with the usual as live and then we'll go into a 10.30 tonight.
00:29If you're already in the room, we'll kick off with Gary from Sky.
00:33Thanks Dan, hello Mikel, nice to see you. Ben White, how is he?
00:38They are all good, we have another training session this afternoon, so very positive about everybody.
00:45Really? So that includes Durian, Christian, Piero?
00:49Yeah, we have another session, they are all willing to be part of it and we have another session to
00:53try to make sure that they are fit.
00:57That's great, you're the don when it comes to transfer updates, you're the don when it comes to injury updates,
01:03you're the don apparently according to Jamie Carragher.
01:05What does that mean?
01:06The don.
01:08The boss.
01:11Jamie Carragher's words, not mine.
01:27No, I think I'm here to try to give my opinion, to defend my club, to give the very best
01:36to our players and in order to do so, obviously you guys get asked some questions.
01:42And we need to respond in the most direct way, I think, and fair way.
01:49I will make mistakes sometimes, but I will try to be as fair as possible.
01:54Because many, many managers, including Arsene, before you called things out and they haven't been right, all you want is
02:01everything to be right, that's right and wrong, that's wrong.
02:03Well, we discuss many topics in this room and very important, all of them.
02:08And we have a space to talk, to give our opinions, to have discussions, to have personal conversations.
02:17And it's everybody's duty to try to improve the game and that's what we're here for.
02:22Have you heard as a club from pro ref yet? I know you wanted them to look into that.
02:26These are conversations that will remain private, as usual, and they have to keep that way.
02:32But Manchester United have an apology, would you like an apology?
02:36It's not about the apology, it's just agreeing that the decision should have been different or not, and maybe they
02:46have a different opinion, try to improve and move forward together.
02:49Speak about apologies, I understand you did get one from Fabian, but you had a bit of a rant following
02:56your win there in March about your style, your time wasting?
03:00That's all done, that's all in the past, I have huge respect for Fabian, what he's done, and what Brighton
03:05has done as a club.
03:06It's just remarkable and tomorrow is going to be a beautiful game to watch, I'm sure.
03:11If you win, there will be eight wins on the bounce from eight stars this season in all competitions.
03:19Arsenal side, I haven't done that since 1903, even I am not able to remember back to 1903, so that's
03:26another record that you've reached.
03:29Well, we've got a really tough opponent tomorrow, so we're going to have to really earn the right to win
03:34the game,
03:34but certainly that would be the mindset of the players and the team.
03:38The contract, you want to sign it, the club want you to sign it, I want you to sign it,
03:43the fans want you to sign it.
03:45Are you going to sign it in the international break, you've got three weeks to do it?
03:49I think we are all very much aligned and whenever the time is right we'll get that done.
03:54There is nothing to be concerned about.
03:57Should we read anything into the fact that two years ago it was this time in the international break that
04:01the news came out?
04:02I don't know if the time will be the same or different. I think we both have the same ambition
04:09and the same will so whenever we have time we'll get that resolved.
04:14And finally, from the international break, are you happy with the new longer one? Is it good for the players
04:21or worse for them?
04:21Let's see, it's something that we have to experience.
04:24As you've seen, different national teams, different managers have taken different approach in terms of the numbers that they have
04:30put in the squad,
04:32so it's going to be really important to have good communication with them so they understand where our players are,
04:38what we expect, what they expect as well and work together. That's the best way always.
04:43Good job, thank you. Thank you.
04:48This is your fourth consecutive away game now. Beyond the physical side, what do you learn about the mentality of
04:55your team
04:56when they consistently have to go away and impose themselves in an away stadium?
05:01Well, that's one of the challenges of the schedule and the team has responded so well.
05:08Playing with such a dominance and it doesn't really matter if we play at home or away, we want to
05:14be the same team
05:15and we want to cause the same kind of problems to the opposition.
05:18And we have managed to win the three games and we've got the last one against a range of opponents,
05:24as I said against Brighton tomorrow and we will try to do the same.
05:28There was a moment in the Cup game where Gabriel immediately went over to Marley to support him
05:33when he made a little error, really gave him confidence and those instinctual moments on the pitch
05:37can really make or break sometimes the confidence on the player.
05:40You obviously have a great leadership group. Is that onus on them when you can't physically support on the pitch?
05:46Do they support themselves outside or do you give them the tools to be such great owners?
05:50You cannot coach that. I think that's you have it or you don't because it's a split of a second.
05:55It's just a very emotional reaction when you are in the middle of the game and I absolutely loved it
06:00because we've all been there and just encouraging the confidence that it gives to a 16-year-old
06:05to go again and deliver in the next action. It's huge. I think he has mentioned it already
06:10and it's good to see that bond, that connection within the team to try to help each other.
06:16And just on Boronero, do you see him predominantly as a left centre mid?
06:24He can play on the left, on the right, in the middle. He can rotate from there.
06:29He's such a dynamic, versatile player that he can deliver great moments in any position.
06:36And it will be more down to what we need on the day, the relationship that we have with the
06:41other midfielders
06:41and for sure wide opponent in us as well.
06:45Ian talks more.
06:47Hi, how are you?
06:48Hello, I'm good, thank you.
06:50In the past, I've always told you I think that David Raya has done OK since he joined Arsenal.
06:56When you think about his career, seriously, non-league football to Premier League
07:00and probably now the best goalkeeper in the world, should have been the Golden Bluff.
07:04Just tell us what part you played in that, what part he himself has played in that
07:09to make himself now the best in the world.
07:12That's a great story. I think for any kid as well to look at trajectories and pathways
07:17and how you can reach the highest level in football
07:21and always maintaining that will, that motivation and that enthusiasm that it can happen.
07:29And now football and especially internationally is so connected that you never know,
07:33you might be playing a game, somebody has caught you and you can end up
07:36in two or three years' time playing at the highest level.
07:40And David has been, I think it's his mentality.
07:43Obviously he has tremendous quality but he has overcome a lot of difficulties,
07:47a lot of challenges to reach to this point.
07:49When he reached this point, it wasn't easy at the beginning.
07:53He really had to dig in and improve himself and with all the coaches,
07:58with Iñaki especially, doing an amazing work with him daily and all his teammates.
08:03Well, he hasn't the right to be one of the best now.
08:06Would you say, I know it's very difficult, but would you say he's always been your best signing?
08:11I know players who scored goals, players who may play in defence
08:16and your defence has been incredible the last three to six months.
08:20But would you say probably pound for pound he's been your best signing?
08:23I don't know, he's been a tremendous signing.
08:25There's no question about that, whether he's the best or not.
08:29It's just an opinion, but it doesn't matter.
08:31We are so happy to have him.
08:33I think he has elevated the team, the club to a different level
08:36and now we need to maintain that level.
08:39You've been asked about the international breaks.
08:40I mean, in the past, there's been one in August, one in September, one in November.
08:45It's almost stop, stop.
08:46You know, really hard for teams to get momentum going.
08:49Do you think possibly in terms of a team keeping momentum going,
08:53this might be better having slightly longer, getting more games in and out of the way?
08:57Let's see, let's see how it pans out.
09:01I think every national team is different.
09:03Some they play very locally in Europe, some others are travelling the world
09:06as well for two and a half weeks.
09:08So we have to wait and see how this develops.
09:11And finally, I haven't checked the super computer, so please forgive me.
09:14But is there any chance you might be already thinking
09:17with the chance of winning another game this season,
09:20making it five out of five, that this team could be another invincible?
09:26We just have enough on the plate today to prepare the game
09:29against a really good Brighton tomorrow.
09:32And we know how tough that's going to be and in the right to win it.
09:35That's it. Thank you.
09:39Victor's facing one of his former clubs this weekend.
09:42Maybe he hasn't been at his best so far this season.
09:44Do you get the sense he's struggling for confidence at the moment?
09:47No, obviously, especially in the Premier League,
09:49he hasn't played that many minutes.
09:50But last week he played in Napoli and he had a good game.
09:56I think that's about moments as well.
09:58We need to give him all the support and confidence that he needs to be the leader
10:02because we know the player that we have,
10:04the capacity that he has to score goals and what he can give to the team.
10:07I mean, you said at the start of last season it was about him adapting to the team,
10:10the team adapting to him.
10:12Where do you think the team sort of is in that adaption?
10:15Do you think he's fully settled in now or is it still alone?
10:19Well, I think the team as well is doing certain different things this season as well.
10:23So it's a bit of both, but it's nothing unique for Victor.
10:29It's for everybody.
10:30That's a constant evolution player and team.
10:33And for sure our job and especially my job to try to fit that in
10:37and find those connections and that level of confidence for the player
10:42to give his best for the team.
10:44I think Graeme Potter said this week that a change in the environment
10:47could be good for him joining up with Sweden.
10:50I remember you saying in March when he came back after the Centre for the World Cup
10:53he came back with energy, he went on a good scoring run.
10:56Yeah, he scored a few goals.
10:57I think that's the smart he needs this week.
10:58Well, especially for the strikers, you know what they need.
11:00They need minutes and they need goals.
11:02That's why it really boosts the energy of them
11:05and we'll have a game tomorrow and hopefully he can deliver there.
11:10There's been a big push recently on the youth side of things.
11:13We've seen Pere move on and Pascal's coming.
11:16We've also seen a number of signings that are dated for the future.
11:19Victor in January, Andrea Bartishvili recently announced as well.
11:24Has it been a key element of your design for us for the future
11:28to invest in these young stars from around the world?
11:31Well, it's off as a club.
11:33We know that if we want to constantly maintain this level,
11:38and have the pathway already in-house,
11:41which is the best way obviously to bring players from the academy
11:47or from the youth teams to us,
11:49we need to be one of the best in the world at recruiting
11:52and recruiting in the country and recruiting abroad.
11:55The best talent that we possibly can
11:56to give us the best chance to sustain that level.
11:58Over your near seven years at the club,
12:01we've seen some young players move on.
12:03I think Chico or Aiden previously moving on.
12:06There's some of Duka as well that has moved on.
12:09But you've also managed to keep some of your strongest players
12:11like Max and Mali as well, signing on to those new deals.
12:14Other clubs are experiencing challenges keeping really young players
12:18being tempted away from big clubs.
12:20What experiences have you experienced over this near seven years
12:23of young players being tempted away from big clubs?
12:25It is challenging because there are a lot of parties there
12:28and obviously the way the system is set up is not easy.
12:34There are certain moments throughout those years
12:37that there are gaps that big decisions have to be made
12:40and they have the choice to make those decisions as well.
12:43So sometimes it's not only what we want to do,
12:46it's what the player or the agent or the family wants to do at times as well.
12:51And that's not easy.
12:52But we're going to try to, for sure,
12:54keep the best talent in-house.
12:57Phil, PA at the back.
12:58Hi.
12:59You were asking about the record of possibly winning eight games
13:03in a row starting the season.
13:04What does that say to you about, you know, the club
13:07and how they started the season?
13:09And has it taken you by surprise as well?
13:11You know, it was a World Cup.
13:12Yeah.
13:12But Arsenal started so impressive.
13:14It's not an easy thing.
13:15Well, we know how complicated it is to win a football match at this level.
13:19So to win seven, it tells the story.
13:22After the World Cup especially,
13:24there was a lot of unknowns about how the players, the team,
13:27they were going to react.
13:27We didn't have any time with them to work together.
13:30But I said they won as in the attitude.
13:33And what I was seeing, I was really impressed with.
13:36Then you have to put it down to performances.
13:38You need element of luck as well for sure to win football matches.
13:42And we are here.
13:43And then we want to make another one for sure tomorrow.
13:47When we talk about players knocking on the manager's door,
13:50they're not getting enough minutes.
13:51I'm just wondering with a player like Max,
13:53who obviously plays over a week or two goals.
13:55Is he knocking down the door saying,
13:57I need to start off tomorrow?
13:59That's the best way to knock on the door is to do it on the pitch,
14:02not in the office.
14:03We can do it.
14:06I think with that, you just left out of arguments
14:09when a player delivers constantly on the pitch every single day in training.
14:14That's the best way.
14:15That's the best signal for the manager.
14:16That's the best signal for his teammates as well,
14:18that they will demand that player playing.
14:20And what Max did the other day,
14:22amongst all the players as well,
14:23that they haven't played that many minutes.
14:25I think it was really impressive.
14:27Last couple of years.
14:29I want to ask you about Eze.
14:32This season, all of his winners have come on the left wing.
14:35After Martin Lillian-Choslav departures,
14:37what attributes does Eze bring to left-hand side
14:39and how is he different from 2-2?
14:41Well, he's always played there in his career.
14:43That's where all his biggest moments in his career
14:46and the highlights of his career has come.
14:50And I think it's a place that he feels very, very, very comfortable.
14:53As well, he can occupy different spaces through them,
14:56but that's the space that generally he has created big moments
15:01for previous clubs as well to win matches.
15:04He shared those minutes with Solis in the left wing.
15:07How do you determine what an Eze game is
15:08and what a Solis game is?
15:11How do you determine, sorry?
15:12How do you determine what an Eze game is
15:14and what a Solis game is?
15:15To pick them, you mean?
15:16To pick for you?
15:17In form, in the opponent,
15:19in the relationship that we have within that unit.
15:23It's a lot of factors.
15:26Morning, Mikel.
15:27Esri Consar come in
15:28and he played against Sunderland,
15:31Brian Broby.
15:32Very formidable opponent.
15:33Very physical battle.
15:34Can you tell us about his attitude
15:35and his link up with Gabriel?
15:37That's growing.
15:38He seems to be bearing a lot through.
15:40Yeah.
15:40Well, I heard some great things about Esri
15:43before he joined.
15:44When you have it daily,
15:47you just realise the magnitude of the player that we signed.
15:50Not only the player but the person.
15:52The way he presents himself.
15:54The way he's able to connect with people immediately.
15:58We talk about Big Gabby.
15:59When you see those two in the corridors talking.
16:01The way they interact with each other
16:03seems like they've been here for a long, long, long time together.
16:07Which is great because that's a partnership
16:08that in my opinion is extremely important on the field.
16:12And then, yeah, his attributes, the quality that he does deliver to the team.
16:16It's something that really makes us better.
16:19I wanted to ask about Matt.
16:20Of course he's obviously developing an ability.
16:22But being around the first team,
16:23how has he developed as a personal character and mentality?
16:27Well, in a really great way as well.
16:29Obviously, when you see how those players behave daily.
16:33You know, the level of attention they put to any detail.
16:39The way they look after themselves.
16:41The standard that they set.
16:42If you become part of that environment,
16:44that's only going to raise your level.
16:46It's going to educate you in a way that becomes a normality.
16:50And when that becomes a normality,
16:52then you will hit another level.
16:53Because then you will be able to add to that.
16:56And that's where Max is at the moment.
16:58Okay, that finishes as live.
16:59We'll now go to...
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