Every word that Mikel Arteta said in his pre-game press conference ahead of Arsenal hosting Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon at Emirates Stadium.
The Villans head to north London striving to bounce back after a 4-1 loss at Manchester City and a draw with Brentford in their last two Premier League games. Arsenal will hope to add to Aston Villa’s recent struggles with Arteta’s players eager to remain at the top of the table.
Arsenal lead the Premier League standings through 31 matches but are only above Liverpool on goal difference. The Gunners have scored the most (75) and conceded the fewest (24) goals of any side this term. Manchester City sit one point behind the Gunners and Reds, too.
So, with that in mind, here is every word that Arteta had to say after Gabriel Magalhaes had to skip training and more in the Arsenal coach’s pre-Aston Villa press conference on Friday…
On Arsenal’s injury situation ahead of hosting Aston Villa
“We’ve got one more day to prepare for the match. We will see tomorrow if everyone is available. We have some [injuries] but, hopefully, with another day we are going to be ok.”
On reflecting on drawing with Bayern Munich
“Reflection done, Bayern done. Now [my mind] is on Aston Villa, only focus on Aston Villa.”
On Bukayo Saka’s reaction to the penalty incident against Bayern Munich
“Yes, he is [calm]. He’s had 48 hours to think about it and he’s done.”
On what Mikel Arteta finds most impressive about Aston Villa
“What they’ve done, obviously, since Unai [Emery] come in, he’s made a huge impact to the club. In terms of performances and consistently, unbelievable what they are doing. They’re still in European competition and they played last night. So, [I’m] really impressed.”
On Arsenal playing last among the Premier League title rivals
“We will know the results. We still have our duty to win our game, which is the only thing that we can control. That happened a few times already. [It] is going to happen again.
“The next few weeks is just focus on what we can do what we can control and make sure that we performed like we have to do against a really good site to try to beat them.”
On the Premier League introducing semi-automated technology
“I think it was that unanimous that means that there’s going to be better, is going to be faster and more efficient. So, hopefully, it’s going to work and be very positive for us.”
On Jurrien Timber’s recovery from an ACL injury
“He’s still got a few steps to make. He needs to play [one] game at least with the Under 21s. He’s gonna have an in-house game soon, as well.
“He’s done everything in training. Now, he’s getting that much fitness and having people around is like competing in a football match, which is different to training.
On what Jurrien Timber will offer Arsenal
“Hopefully, a lot. For everything that we see in training and the time that he was fit, I think he’s gonna have a big, big impact in the team.”
On Arsenal being unbeaten in the Premier League in 2024
“Yes, it’s very good. We want to carry on going. It’s the most beautiful part of the season coming up right now. Very busy schedule. And, also, we have a really tough one against a really good site. We are going to have to be really good to beat them.”
On the top of the Premier League table changing hands 18 times this season
“Hopefully, it stays as it is for the remaining six weeks. And 18 is a beautiful number. I like it a lot was my number. So, let’s keep it at 18.
On how well the players are dealing with the pressure of the title race
“I think it is just a motivation. I think they lift it already and they are super excited about what we are doing. The way the team is performing, winning matches and they want more.
“We know the task, the challenge ahead of us and how good we have to be to win it. But we’re gonna try.”
On Aston Villa playing in the Europa League on Thursday
“We always try to use things in our advantage. We don’t know what they’re going to do and there’s nothing that we can control. They still won last night and they are a really, really good side. So, we know the danger and the strengths as well and try to do what we have to win.”
On the differences in VAR in the Champions League and the Premier League
‘It is different. As well, the officials are different. You have to adapt. It is a competition that is played in a slightly different way and we’re trying to adapt.”
On Arsenal drawing 2-2 with Bayern Munich being draining
“A lot to take and, especially, how we manage emotionally the game. We’ve been very dominant and ahead. And in 15 minutes, you are behind to a top side and you have to deal with that game emotionally, which is really tough to do.
“I think the team did brilliantly to manage that situation. [It is] half-time, everything to play for in Munich.”
On Arsenal’s players learning how to control their emotions
“That’s something that you have to work on daily, with a lot of aspects. When you are there, you already are leaving certain things in your system and as a team to be deal with them.”
On Unai Emery overseeing his 1,000th game as a manager
“Unbelievable, and he’s done it in so many different countries, in so many different contexts and he’s been incredibly successful.
“Obviously, he’s very close to my hometown. I have huge admiration for him, and a huge respect and wish him the best after Sunday. But what he’s doing, I think it’s really impressive.”
On Arsenal’s next few weeks being defining for the season
“Very, for sure, because we can be in all competitions, going into the semi-finals of the Champions League and being top of the Premier League or not. So, every game is going to define what our future looks like.”
On how exciting the end of the season is for Arsenal
“It’s the only thing possible to look at one day and one game. It’s the only thing that is possible because it’s the only thing that maintains your focus on determining the task that you have to learn, which is the only thing that you can control.”
On possibly being the first Arsenal manager to win the Premier League in 20 years
“I don’t think like this. I think about what we have to do next to beat the next opponent and to maintain the position that we are in still very far.”
On how difficult it is to focus on one game at a time
“It’s the job that we live and the game finishes and 15 minutes later, we finished Luton and I was watching Brighton in my office in the stadium. It’s like this because you don’t have time. You have to prepare and you’re on to the next one.”
On Arsenal only conceding four Premier League goals in 2024
“It’s a huge platform and to give you a real chance to win football matches. That’s for sure. We were very consistent and we’ve seen, as well, on Tuesday the difference when you concede or don’t concede and how you concede those goals and the impact it can have.”
On how Mikel Arteta judges sports psychologist
“I think doing it naturally. Obviously, we have a lot of support from different areas and in different fields of expertise and we do it between all of us.
“There is understanding as well the mood of the team, the mood of individuals and trying to tweak that every single day to be in the right zone when they have to perform
“I don’t know if they are special. There are techniques, there are ways to do it that has ways that you believe that kind work and impact the team, and is what we have to try to do.”
On having a touchline ban at Aston Villa in December
“I deserved it. I had to go upstairs because I got the yellow card that the rule says you have to miss a match. I did, I experienced it, I didn’t like it. So, hopefully, it doesn’t happen again.
“It’s possible that I think like this, ‘Can I control it sometimes when I am there?’. That’s something else. So far, it’s been better.
“But when you look at all the managers that have had bans, it’s just not a coincidence that the majority of us at some stage of the season we have been there.”
On adjusting his antics on the touchline
“Maybe we are adjusting. Obviously, the rule came up and it was a very aggressive rule. You know, every time we’re talking about it, we’re gonna get a yellow card.
“I think, now, it is a bit smoother, as well. There is a bit more understanding from both ways, what we expect from each other and that’s it.”
On Mikel Arteta controlling his emotions against Bayern Munich
“I think it has evolved. I don’t know if it’s for the better or the worse. It’s not me that has to adjust. At the end, it’s how much I help the club, how much I have the team and individual players to try to perform and win as many matches as we can. This is the final objective.”
On Gabriel Jesus’ ongoing knee injury
“I think in this sport to play without pain is very difficult. When you play every three days especially on the level that we play, if you ask any player they will say that sometimes there is pain and you have to deal with that and that will amaze you, as well.
“And Gabi has this toughness and this character that he always wants to overcome. He has overcome some difficulties in terms of injuries, and he’s ready again.”
On bringing calmness to the Arsenal squad
“I don’t know if it’s consciously. It’s, I think, how I feel. One way or the other, it’s very difficult for me to hide it. It’s how I feel.
“I want to give the players the best support and the best mindset and emotional state to enjoy this moment and to go for it and have a real sense of belief and determination to try to win what we have worked so hard for 10 months to achieve.”
On success potential distracting Arsenal’s players
“No, that’s for sure. They are super focused and determined. And when a team is doing very well, don’t touch it. Let them do it and they have grown a lot as well as a group and let them let them be themselves.”
On Kai Havertz thriving as a No9
“The first conversation with him, I told him what the idea was and what I could see him play and impact the team. He fully agreed with that. He’s very comfortable to change positions.
“He’s done it with us, he’s done it with Chelsea in the past, with the national team and he’s got this capacity to adapt. If he’s feeling good, some days it’s about who he’s surrounded by and what we asked him to do more than the position.”
On Kai Havertz being more comfortable as a striker than in midfield
“I’m not sure. It depends on the game, it depends on the behaviours of the opponent and what his role is within the day. But I wouldn’t say he’s more comfortable as a nine. I think he’s had, obviously, a tremendous impact as a nine. But he did very similar as an eight.”