Mikel Arteta faced the press following Arsenal’s victory over Olympiacos in the UEFA Champions League. He discussed the victory and the performances of Martin Odegaard and Viktor Gyokeres in particular.
Gabriel Magalhaes was taken off in the second half. Arteta provided the latest on his issues after the match which was thankfully positive.
Here is every word Arteta said to the press during the conference:
It felt as if you almost made hard work of it in the end, because you had so much domination, it felt a little bit nervous until it was 2-0, but what were your thoughts on it?
Well, very happy, obviously winning in the Champions League is always very complicated, keeping another clean sheet, we make something like 11 in 14 games, which is remarkable from the boys. I think we started the game really well, I think we looked a real threat, really dynamic, really playing forwards, a lot of run, a lot of threats. Generally to the goal another two or three big chances, and we don’t put them away in this competition. You have to be careful, the first arrival David had to make an incredible save to deny the goal, which you need in this competition as well. And after that, we had moments of a lot of dominance, as you said, and some others that, without control and dominating in a direct play, we got a little bit deeper, and every time they put balls in the box with the crosses, it’s a team that is very, very dangerous. At the end, again, missed two big chances, but we did find a way with Bukayo to score a goal and breathe a little bit in the first few minutes, because it’s a team that ended the game really well. I think they won five already this season in the last few minutes, and we discussed that they’re going to keep believing until the end, and they made it difficult in the end.
Just on Martin Odegaard in that first half there, his performance, he was really buzzing in terms of that three in the midfield. Did you give him more licence to get forward behind the front two in that midfield in the first half?
He’s got all the licence in the world to go forward, Martin, and to play with that freedom, and to play with that level of threat, especially, not only with the passes, but the way he was taking the ball, carrying the ball, making runs and arriving in really dangerous areas. I think he put three people through today to score a goal. He should have scored a goal as well. So, great to have him back. He played some very good minutes in Newcastle to help us to win the game, and I think today he was phenomenal.
Compared to previously, how much more reassurance do you feel when you turn around and look at your bench? I know a lot has been made of the strength of your squad, but in particular today, when I read the bench, it was really, really strong.
Yeah, with all respect, last season we were looking and we had five academy players there that probably never played professional football in the Champions League. So, yeah, it makes a difference. Today we decided to change six players, I think it was, because I want everybody to really be involved and feel part of it, and it was great. We had the feeling as well that physically we were dropping because we played a really intense match in Newcastle a few days ago. The ones that come in again, they lift the level, they help us to win the game, and that’s great.
Just quickly, is Gabby okay?
Yeah, I think he’s going to be okay. He felt something, I think it was a kick, I’m not sure, in the first half, and he was a bit uncomfortable, and towards the second half he was there. He could carry on, but we decided not to take any, really, because he’s played a lot of games, he comes from a long-term injury as well, and we need to look after him.
This is the first time in four home games you’ve beaten Olympiacos, which seems somewhat baffling. In a European game, is there sometimes that narrative that can creep into your mind, despite that history going back so many years?
Well, I don’t know, there are stats, and hopefully we broke that one, which wasn’t a very positive one. Credit to them, I think the atmosphere they create as well with the away fan, I think it was incredible. I talk about them, which I know really well as a team, that through their simplicity they become really, really efficient at what they do, and we knew that, and they presented a very tough game as we expected.
Just on Viktor, he did everything so well tonight, apart from the finish. He looks desperate every time he’s playing right now to score. It’s coming up to now a month that he hasn’t scored, can you sense that he’s getting a bit frustrated, a bit anxious that he’s not scoring, he’s not on a run?
What I sense is that he’s doing better and better things every game. Today he was denied a few times, one of the blocks, and then he hit the post, but I think overall his performance was exceptional. Again, his work rate was really good, and yes, we want him to be scoring goals, but if he doesn’t do that, at least to do everything as he’s doing for the team, because he’s helping the team a lot.
Is it only a matter of time before that, because once he gets his first one there, it will be a chain reaction?
I don’t know, but hopefully yes, and hopefully it will be on Saturday.
Just looping back to Martin, in that first half in particular, he was really aggressive and forward looking with his passing and adding the pace. Was that a deliberate ploy about getting the best out of Viktor and Gabby? When he’s got those runners ahead of him, his eyes must be lighting up.
I think we have to play in our qualities, and when we have a front three with that pace as well, with those timings in the runs, players can activate and we have to do that 100 per cent. He did it in Newcastle, I went a few times in 15 minutes, and that’s a game that I want from him.
Myles Lewis-Skelly of course got his opportunity today after being on the bench this season. Having started a lot of games last season because of injuries, how impressed were you with the fact that he came in, sorted it in and put in a good performance?
Very good. I think he played a really, really good game. Every level, defensively and attacking. He looked really focused, he understood really well when to take chances, when to keep the game flowing and very simple. I’m very pleased with what I’ve seen today.
We know how much Odegaard feels that sense of responsibility as captain. How much of a challenge for him is to take that, but also play with the freedom to be creative and be that kind of heartbeat in the team at the same time?
I think that creativity part is his nature. It doesn’t bring any pressure to him because it’s his best ability to generate things that not a lot of players can do. He has total freedom from my side to do and to explore and to take risks and to feel the movement and where he needs to generate those spaces. I think he’s certainly done that in the last two games.
On the strength in depth, how important is it not only to have the options, but to be able to protect players like Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka because of the amount of games they play…
Yes, especially with Bukayo because he comes from a long-term injury. He played 45, 60, 70 minutes in a really short period, and today it was more risky. So we decided to keep him. Gabi did really well, I think, on the right as well. And with Declan, because he had some incredible outputs three days ago. He’s played so many games. He’s going to have to play so many games as well. And it’s great to have someone like Mikel [Merino] come in and perform really well. We need a different profile, like him, on the pitch.
How do you feel playing against Mendillibar ? He was your coach when you were 14. How do you feel?
Well, great to see him. So glad that he’s doing so well. Very happy for him. And it’s strange at the same moment because he was my coach. So when you have to play against your former coach, it’s always something weird. I’m getting older, which I think is good. I learned a lot from him and from my time with him. It was a good experience. Thank God we won the game and I wish him all the best.
