Every word from Mikel Arteta’s post-Monaco press release | Press conference | News
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Every word from Mikel Arteta’s post-Monaco press release | Press conference | News

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

As usual, Mikel Arteta went into the Emirates Stadium press room to answer questions from the media as part of his post-match media duties following our 3-0 win against Monaco.

He answered questions about the performances of Bukayo Saka and Myles Lewis-Skelly, our scoring chances and how we are settling into the rhythm of Champions League games.

Here’s everything he had to say:

for overall performance:
Well, I’m very happy with the win, with a clean slate, with the fact that we had to change a few players, players who haven’t played that much yet, and they still performed really well and helped us in brought a good position in the group.

about Bukayo Saka’s promotion to the Champions League:
Well, he always surprises us, but that’s what he wants to do, that’s the quality he has, that’s the ambition he shows and that he prepares for every day. So I’m not surprised, but it’s very difficult to do what he does.

on Myles Lewis-Skelly’s first start in the Champions League:
Well, really proud moment. He is one of us, 18 years old. He makes his starting debut in the Champions League and is just a joy to watch. It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to give someone a chance to change their career. He definitely took the opportunity and it’s great that we can trust him to play in this environment and at this level and I was really pleased with his performance.

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Lewis-Skelly “overjoyed” after starring role

On the number of chances we created tonight:
Yes, of course we should have scored four or five goals in the first half. That wasn’t the case and this is the Champions League. The resistance is really great. The way they play, they create quite a bit of chaos because there are so many players inside and the moment you’re not very organized or don’t keep the ball clean, the first two or three passes, you’re going to be against them, but against us, have problems will work on this situation. We scored the second goal after the game was under our control. I think the substitutes also helped us at the right moments, so overall it was very positive.

on whether Arsenal is now established in the Champions League:
I think we are enjoying our run and continuing to learn. Today we can learn a lot from this game, from the experience, from the team and of course we need a lot more. We have to get through certain moments and I’m sure we will in the near future, but the fact that we can compete against any team is a positive thing, but we also understand how difficult it is in to keep up with this competition.

on whether Saka is at world-class level:
To put yourself in this position, you have to be able to do this consistently over many years. You can already put in brackets what he has already achieved at his age, because we can compare what he has achieved in his first six years as a professional footballer, which is extraordinary, you know, and that’s all and his goal is to to improve. He has the players and the environment to continue to do that and I’m sure he will.

on whether Lewis-Skelly is now struggling to play more regularly:
He’s good, he was in the race. In pre-season he opened our eyes and said I was ready, just like Ethan. He feels comfortable in this environment, they can perform, they can compete, which is important not only but also play, and today he showed that he is at that level.

Read more

Highlights: Arsenal 3-0 Monaco

on how to boost Gabriel Jesus’ self-confidence:
Nothing, just put him in front of the goal, like he’s done a few times today, and it’s millimeters, centimeters whether the goal goes in or not. He was there, he looked really alive, he had scored the first goal with a great move and he is, so we have him back with us and I’m sure he will contribute to the team.

how to make the team more clinical:
We have an enormous responsibility. I can’t kick the ball, but we can train them, we can teach them, and sometimes they have to take a step back, it’s a decision they have to make. They can’t think about what they have to do, whatever we told them. We try to provide the right information and the right tools so they understand the defense, understand the goalie, understand a lot of the things we’re working on, and then after that it’s their execution. That’s a difficult thing to do in football, but they have a lot of talent to achieve it.

on the example Saka sets for young players at the club:
I think that was a development. That wasn’t possible for him when he was 17 or 18 or 19 a year or two ago because he has really developed mentally, physically, in his conditioning and in his preparation, now he has the habit of playing every three days and that he does it consistently at the highest level. I think he has to continue to do that and for the youngest players, for the others and for all of us, he is a great example because of how he behaves every day and because he wants to try with us to achieve the best version every day develop and further improve.

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