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Arteta and Reya preview Bayern Munich - Arsenal champions league game
20/10/2026
uefa26 champions league
20/10/2026
uefa26 champions league
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00:05Hi guys, thank you all for coming. Alex, where are you? We'll kick off with Alex.
00:26Hi David, a big game against Bayern Munich. What would it mean to you as players to get a result
00:31here, particularly after the difficult results the club and you have had here in the past?
00:35First of all, we heard that Vincent is not well so we want to send a speedy recovery to him.
00:42And going to your question, obviously the most important thing is the three points and no matter where you play,
00:48who you play, you're playing against the best teams in Europe so we're going to go out there to try
00:53and get the three points.
00:54How would it feel for you as a player? This is obviously a big game with two massive clubs but
01:00it's so early in the competition, in the league phase now. Does it not feel as big as usual because
01:05you know you can rectify results after if you weren't to get one?
01:07Well, we know every game is big. We know Bayern Munich are incredible playing football and we know how good
01:18they are so it feels a big game no matter what stage of the season we are.
01:24And as the league phase is like this now, you get big games like tonight, you get Barcelona against PSG
01:29so it's just so good to be playing on these games.
01:34Gary, just behind it.
01:39You're on the Monday, could be a big night for you on the Ballon d'Or shortlist for goalkeeper.
01:46Lots of people in football, not to do with Arsenal, say you're the best goalkeeper in the world right now.
01:53Do you think you are?
01:57I'm delighted to hear those comments and what people think and especially you guys.
02:04I just think that I've done a remarkable season and I picked off where I left it.
02:10I'm just trying to be the best for myself and for the team to try and win matches.
02:15But like you said, I'm nominated and hopefully I'm in the conversation of winning so we will see.
02:22That's on Monday and now the important thing is just to think about tomorrow.
02:26But obviously delighted with the comments and everything. Thank you.
02:30Talking about the Ballon d'Or, the favourite for the outfield player is Harry Kane.
02:35You've played against pretty much all the top strikers in the world.
02:39Is there anyone you fear more with a ball of his feet in front of you?
02:43Well, we know how good Harry Kane is. I think his stats speak for himself.
02:50He's a threat, not just on the box, going low and receiving the ball and being like another midfield,
02:58another 10 to give assists as well. Not just the goals, just the assists and the way he reads the
03:03game.
03:03So he's a great, great player and he's having a fantastic season as well.
03:08And like you said, he's nominated for the Ballon d'Or and we will see who wins that as well.
03:14Hi, David. In terms of Arsenal's growth in this competition, I think your first season here was their first season
03:23back in the Champions League.
03:24How have you kind of assessed the way the team have grown together in this competition, especially away from home?
03:32Because in that first year, it seemed like there were maybe a few games like Porto away, for instance, that
03:37were a bit shaky,
03:38whereas it doesn't seem like that's the case as often.
03:41Well, like you said, I think my first season was the first year that Arsenal were in the Champions League
03:46for a long time.
03:48And I think that first season was just to get used to it.
03:51We didn't have that many players that played in the Champions League and that having that confidence to be there.
03:59So I think the first year was a little bit different than what we've been seeing there recently.
04:05And hopefully we can do better from the first year. Sorry.
04:09First year we got to the quarters, semis, final, and hopefully this year we can reach to the top and
04:17claim the big prize.
04:18So that's a long way to go still. And we have a lot of football to play.
04:23But that's the ambition of this club to get that trophy in our cabinet.
04:28When you've gone to each of those stages that you just mentioned, does it change anything for you guys mentally
04:35when you have kind of reached those milestones together?
04:38Well, I think every away game in the Champions League is very, very difficult.
04:46We've been doing very well away from home and at home, so hopefully we can replicate that tomorrow.
04:53Knowing what we have to do to keep Bayern away from our goal and scoring the goals that win us
05:02the game.
05:02So we're just going to go out there to be ourselves, express ourselves and hopefully get the three points.
05:07We'll just go behind to John.
05:10Hi David. Could you perhaps talk a little bit about Esri Konza and how you feel that he's settled into
05:17the club?
05:19He's settled like a glove. He's incredible. I think the maturity and the leadership that he brings to the team
05:26is fantastic.
05:28He's a leader on the back four. He demands a lot from everybody.
05:33And I think the performances that he's put on since he came, they're incredible.
05:40I think he's just found his feet so, so quick.
05:44And that's credit to everyone and obviously credit to him to be adapted, to have adapted so well.
05:53Do you think he's been a little underrated over the years?
05:58I think so. I think so. I think obviously he was from Brentford.
06:03I didn't ever get to play with him when I went there, but when he moved to Aston Villa, he
06:09was a really, really good player.
06:11And like you said, I think he's been a little bit underrated, under the radar, but now he's with us.
06:16We are so happy to have him in a defensive line and hopefully for many years.
06:23We'll go just to the middle and back there. Thank you.
06:30Hi, David. Nico Liener from the German newspaper Bild.
06:34It's known that Bayern a few years ago tried to sign you. Could you explain to us what role did
06:42they offer you and what made you decide for Arsenal back then?
06:47Well, I'm not going to speak about what could have happened or what not.
06:51At the end of the day, I chose to sign for Arsenal, which with no disrespect to Bayern.
06:59It was just the negotiations that we had, but at the end of the day, I signed for Arsenal that
07:05year.
07:07We can go to Ryan there.
07:20Hi, David. Just on Harry Kane, as a goalkeeper, how do you kind of prepare for playing a striker like
07:26that when they can score different types of goals?
07:30I think we prepared every game the same. You know, we played against the best strikers in the world in
07:35the league and the best strikers in the world in the Champions League.
07:37So we know we have to keep him quiet. Personally, I've been doing my weekly training with the goalie coach.
07:48And we know their strengths, they're really, really, really good and in short spaces.
07:54And obviously, anyone can score, not just focus on Harry Kane, not just the whole team, you know.
08:00So we've just been working very, very hard the day that we had to work.
08:06So very, very confident that we're going to do a good job tomorrow.
08:11You in the back line are so comfortable defending in terms of keeping clean sheets and you're lauded as the
08:17best defence in world football.
08:18Would you like to see a little bit more up the other end of the pitch?
08:22Do you feel this team can continue to evolve and improve in attack?
08:25I think we can improve in every single aspect. I think from the defence to the attack.
08:31I know nowadays we demand a lot on every single position.
08:36So I think we can improve in every single attack. And I think we will.
08:42The goals will come in and that's it. That's the most important thing.
08:47Go over to the right here.
08:48Good evening, David. You're obviously a world-class shot stopper.
08:54But Bayern Munich are an innovative team. They have created ways to press you.
08:58Do you look forward to games where you're able to use your feet and bypass those type of situations?
09:03Yeah, I just love playing football and any type of game. You find enjoyment everywhere.
09:09But we know they press very high. They go man to man.
09:13And hopefully we can beat that press to put them under pressure and create those chances.
09:18So I enjoy playing no matter what game we are.
09:22But obviously when I'm playing with my feet, you can see that I enjoy a little bit more.
09:28I want to speak about the character of the team. You spoke about Esri coming in.
09:32And you recently had an interview with the Men in Blazers about the blunder against Wolves,
09:37where Gabi just said you should just run him over.
09:40What is it about these type of players and the environment you guys are in that brings this energy out
09:46in you?
09:46I think all the players will put their life on to defend this badge and to defend the goals.
09:55So that was what happened against Wolves.
09:58You know, it was just a situation where I'm going for the ball and I just clash with Gabi and
10:05the ball goes there and it goes in.
10:06So this is one of those days where this mistake happens.
10:10So it's just a desire of keeping the ball out of the net.
10:15And I think everybody will do that on this team.
10:18We'll do the last two down the front.
10:20Arman Abelian, Fast Media. Manuel Neuer will be your opponent tomorrow if he is fit enough.
10:27Of course, he is a legendary goalkeeper.
10:29Are there any specific assumptions of his game you like?
10:33And is he the best goalkeeper you have ever seen? Thank you.
10:38I like every single thing about Manuel Neuer.
10:42Like you said, he is a legend of the game, even though he is still playing.
10:48What he has done and what he has achieved personally and collectively is remarkable.
10:55So I can only say good words about him.
10:59He has been a great goalkeeper and a great role model for a lot of young goalkeepers.
11:04When I was young, he was still playing and I looked up to him.
11:10So it's just a pleasure to be sharing the pitch with him once again.
11:17And like you said, hopefully he can play so we can see us again against each other.
11:24So I'm really, really happy for him and hopefully he is fit enough to play tomorrow.
11:29And we'll end with Ian down here.
11:31Or just on that side.
11:34David, this is probably your biggest game as a team since the final in Budapest.
11:40You came very close in that game, but you did it on the back of a very low amount of
11:44ball possession.
11:4525%, I think it was.
11:47Do you think you're a team better equipped now to be in games a little bit more of this standard
11:54when it comes to actually holding on to the ball?
11:58I think so.
11:59I think you have to see that on perspective as well.
12:05First Champions League final in so many years and we scored in the fifth minute.
12:09And I think you sit back a little bit and knowing that how good we are defensively and we didn't
12:15want to give anything away.
12:17But now it's different now.
12:18I think you can see the way we play.
12:21You can see different types of ways of playing that we have.
12:25And I think we are more prepared this year than the last year.
12:29So hopefully we can keep that going, keep that streak of winning and keeping clinches that will help us to
12:37get through it.
12:38You do still get some criticism for the way that the team plays.
12:42Some people would like to see you play more expansively as champions of England.
12:47Does that irritate you in the dressing room?
12:50No, it doesn't.
12:52People have their own opinions and we have our own opinion.
12:56At the end of the day, we have lost one game in 11 games this season.
13:03And if you call it that boring or irritation, I don't know what to say, but we enjoy playing football.
13:11We enjoy going out there every single day to win football matches and that's the most important thing.
13:16Cool.
13:17We'll end it there.
13:18Thank you guys.
13:18Thank you guys.
13:19Good evening.
13:50Good evening everyone.
13:51Hope everyone's well.
13:53If you have a question, raise your hand.
13:54We'll try to get to as many as we can.
13:57So if we kick off probably with the UK and we'll kick off with Alex from the BBC here.
14:02I think we've gone on mics.
14:07Hi, Mikel.
14:09Just start with some team news please from the weekend.
14:12How is Piero Hincapier, Martin Zubmendi I know was back on the bench and then any other updates from the
14:16squad?
14:16Yes, Zubi is back with us.
14:18So he will be involved tomorrow.
14:20And Piero, let's see if he's able to train the next few days as well.
14:24He can be available for Everton, which is great news.
14:29And this is obviously a massive game, two of the biggest teams in the competition.
14:33You've changed the mentality a lot since you've come into Arsenal.
14:36So how big, much of a big step would this be if you were able to get a win here
14:41considering what happened last time?
14:42Well, really looking forward to the game.
14:44This is the stage.
14:45This is the kind of team.
14:46This is the kind of coach.
14:47This is the kind of club, the stadium that you want to be involved in.
14:51So we have prepared the game with loads of enthusiasm.
14:55And I'm very thrilled to come here and win the game tomorrow.
14:59And I know there's been a lot of talk already about Ebert Chiese after the last game.
15:04Just now there's been a couple of days since that match.
15:07Why do you think maybe it seems that he is struggling a little bit to find his best form at
15:12this part of the season?
15:14This is good because we have some really good players.
15:16The expectations are so big for all of them.
15:19And we want more from everybody.
15:22And that's the mindset.
15:24And that's what is going to make us better individually and as a team.
15:28So I hope that continues because that's going to push all of us to reach different kind of levels and
15:33be better.
15:35Gary from Sky, just behind there.
15:38Hi.
15:39Looking at it selfishly, a couple of potentially bits of good news.
15:43Obviously, Michael Alise, red carded, won't be involved tomorrow.
15:47How big an advantage would that be for Arsenal?
15:51Well, I don't know.
15:52You want to face the best players in these kind of games and he's out.
15:56But when you look at their squad and the starting possible eleven that they have, you know, first of all,
16:02as a team,
16:03one, how incredibly well coached they are, the mindset that they have, the conviction that they have in their reaction,
16:09and then individual quality moments that they can create throughout the games when you look at the goals and chances
16:14that they generate.
16:16So that's the position that you want to be facing and we will be facing tomorrow.
16:21And we're just going to confront that and go for it.
16:24You talked about them being well coached.
16:27Obviously, Vincent, company is not very well at all.
16:30Seems to be a feeling he might not make it tomorrow, certainly in terms of being at the stadium.
16:35I'm sure he'll be involved in any case.
16:37Just your thoughts on that.
16:38Will that be an advantage?
16:40Well, I hope that he gets soon better.
16:43I hope that he is there tomorrow because it will be very good for the game that his presence is
16:49there.
16:50And then, yeah, huge admirer of him, one as a person, because I got to know him, I worked with
16:55him for a few years.
16:56And then what he's done as a coach, his career where he started first of all in Belgium, then at
17:02Bentley, and now what he's doing here.
17:04Because I think the identity and the quality that his team shows in the last few years, it's another level.
17:12And that's a big craze for him.
17:14Ian Delimail.
17:16Hi, Mikel.
17:17I'm sorry to bring this up, but Graeme Souness has got quite a big voice in the English media.
17:22And he's called Bakayo Saka a cheat today on a podcast.
17:26I wonder if you have a view on that.
17:29I haven't heard it, and I'm not going to make any comment about opinions.
17:33When people do talk about players in that way, though, is there a danger that it becomes accepted as a
17:40truth and that referees hear it?
17:43Because he's accusing him of diving, basically.
17:45Has it become dangerous for players getting reputations that they might not deserve?
17:49I don't know.
17:49We are open to opinions.
17:51It's part of our job.
17:52It's part of our roles.
17:53And those opinions have to be respected, especially if they are done in a respectful way.
17:59And we are here to prove that we belong to this level, to this stage, and certainly always have the
18:07intention and the ambition to improve and be better.
18:11That's it.
18:12Dave from the Guardian.
18:14Hi, Mikel.
18:15Over here.
18:15Are you excited to play a team tomorrow night in Bayern Munich who are going to bring the game to
18:20you and play on the front foot?
18:22Or it might, I don't know, maybe even unlock something in your own team?
18:26Yeah, we know the kind of game that we're going to play.
18:29I think both teams are very clear on that, and we experienced that at the Emirates, and it's going to
18:33be a very similar one in many moments.
18:36Especially we have the level of connection and positiveness around the team.
18:44So, yeah, very excited about it.
18:46I just wanted to follow that up.
18:48Do people, I don't know, like fans, pundits, journalists, whatever, underestimate how hard it is to play against a very
18:56low block?
18:57But again, because the low block demands a different kind of game to the high block or a team that
19:02is constantly putting the ball in the last line.
19:05It's different.
19:06I think it requires something different to the team.
19:10Still, I think on Sunday we could have done things better, and that's in our hands, and we need to
19:16recognise that openly as well.
19:17But we did a lot of great things as well during the game against a really tough opponent, very, very
19:22well coached as well.
19:23And we did something that we didn't manage to do two years in a row.
19:27So that's another step, and a positive one, a really positive one.
19:31And then we learn from it, and we go.
19:34Simon the Sun?
19:35Mikel, can I just ask you, Mikel, just here.
19:38I'm sorry.
19:38Can I just ask you, obviously the Champions League final was a very painful defeat.
19:42Is that something that you used the summer to get over, or is it something that you've kept inside you
19:47when you're trying to go and win the competition this season?
19:51I tried, but I haven't managed.
19:54So I tried for many weeks during the summer, even today.
19:57And when I see the ball, when I see the music, when I see the scenes, I won it so
20:03badly.
20:04We know that we have to go step by step, but I think that fire is within the team and
20:10all of us individually,
20:12because we know what we have to go through by a penalty, not being champions of Europe.
20:17So, yeah.
20:18Let's try again.
20:19James ESPN?
20:20All right, Mikel.
20:21Just on some of the style questions that you've been getting.
20:24I mean, you've won 10 out of 11 games in all competitions, but is it part of the scrutiny that
20:29maybe comes with champions that people are looking at how you play as well as how you win?
20:33But this is for every team, guys.
20:35If you analyse the other top teams in England, then I go, OK, what are they talking about?
20:39They all have a list, eh?
20:40So we all have a list because none of us are perfect.
20:43Time's good that we are not perfect.
20:45Time's good that we can still improve even though we have won the amount of games that we don't.
20:50Because otherwise, the next day, what do you do?
20:51You just expect to be better than the opponent and that's it.
20:54And especially in the Premier League, we know that's very far from the reality.
20:58There seems to be this debate around the style of the team at the moment.
21:02Are you sort of aware of that?
21:03I don't have that impression because I heard that the style was incredible because we have scored so many goals.
21:08We have more possession, more shots, different players participating, no goals on set pieces.
21:13So the story is completely different to last year and it will be apart.
21:18I think we are talking about a very small minority.
21:22I think the other ones, they know that I think they have enjoyed a lot the way we have played
21:26and dominated games this year.
21:29And I think we have proven that. So that's my opinion.
21:32Art Athletic.
21:33Hi, Mikael, over here.
21:35You speak about being at this stage, this stadium.
21:38I think the first time you came here with Arsenal, it was a 2-0 win for Arsenal, but they
21:43lost on away goals.
21:44And I was just curious, obviously there's no away goals tomorrow, but what you could remember about playing in a
21:50game that involved away goals at the time?
21:52I remember it was a quite bizarre tie game, that one, because of the feeling.
21:58But yeah, you know that when you come to that stadium, you know what you're going to be facing and
22:02the level, the standards and the quality that's going to require to get out of this stadium tomorrow with another
22:09three points.
22:10You've spoken about how rules can change the way football matches are played before.
22:15With the Champions League getting rid of away goals a few years ago, how do you feel that's kind of
22:20changed the competition?
22:21Do you think it's better for it or would you prefer away goals to stay?
22:25In my opinion, it's much better and I think it keeps both teams as well very much at it and
22:30less speculation, this is my feeling.
22:33OK, we'll do the last three. John from the BBC up here.
22:36Hi, Mikael. On the subject of opinions, what did you think of Oliver Glasner suggesting that maybe Gabriel and Konza
22:43are the best defensive partnership in the world at the moment?
22:47That's a great opinion. For me, my players are the best in the world and I think the partnership that
22:56they have developed in such a short period of time is remarkable.
23:01Credit to both of them, credit to the rest of the team as well, but I think on Sunday both
23:06of them, especially in key moments, they were exceptional again.
23:09This against Harry Kane, is that the ultimate test for central defenders right now?
23:16Well, they get tested a lot in the Premier League, certainly, and they have already done in the Champions League.
23:22I think what Harry's doing and he's done in the last few years is just something else, another level.
23:28And that's the level they're going to have to face tomorrow.
23:31OK, we'll do the last two. First is Gary and then Daniel. So, first is Gary from the Times.
23:35Can I just ask you, last time you were here, you left after a defeat talking about magic moments and
23:41needing the magic moments to win the big games.
23:44Two and a half years on, do you think you've had enough magic moments consistently now in the team or
23:52do you think you need more going forward?
23:56We can see that at the end of the season. I think so far, yes, because in the games that
24:01we have played, we have produced those moments and they've been produced by different players, which is something very positive.
24:08And this is football. Tomorrow we have to show it here in this arena what we are made of.
24:14OK, finally, Daniel from Benchviews on this side.
24:16Good evening, Mikel. A lot of talk about Esri having an exceptional start to his Arsenal career.
24:20Are you aware that Harry Kane has never scored an open play goal against him in seven games?
24:26Sorry, sorry? Harry Kane has never scored an open play goal against Esri in seven games. No, I didn't know.
24:33OK. And also, speaking on one of your former teammates, Serge Gnabry, he spoke about how he was playing out
24:40wide and now he starts in the ten and he's a bit more fluid and he's using space more.
24:45Did you see him evolve in his game like that or was it always him being a wide player, being
24:49very electric?
24:49Sorry, the question is wrong. Did you always see Serge, your former teammate, Gnabry, did you see him always being
24:56a wide player or did you see him transitioning into being a number ten and behind the striker?
25:00No, it's true that playing wide he was very comfortable coming in because he dominated both feet. He was a
25:07360 player for a winger, which is quite unusual to do.
25:10A little bit like Alex Chamberlain. They have both of them, that kind of range and capacity and qualities to
25:19play in these spaces.
25:20I'm really happy for him personally, for what he's done over the last few years, the way he's developed himself
25:25and what he's done in the game.
25:27Thank you. OK, thanks everyone. See you tomorrow.
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