Mikel Arteta spoke to the press after our thrilling 3-2 win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
The boss assessed our victory at Stamford Bridge, which saw Ben White, Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi find the net, the state of the tie and much more.
Check out everything he had to say below:
on tonight’s performance:
First of all, I have to praise the players for the performance in the game that we just played against a really good opponent. With so much quality on that pitch, we had the feeling at the end, after the 1-3 and the very dominant period that we had in that time, that we had two massive chances to score the fourth one. The result would have been very different, but in that moment, they had an action, they created a corner, they scored a goal and it’s game on. So that feeling is not perfect, but as well we have to value what the team has done again.
on if we saw the result of Viktor Gyokeres’ insistence:
Yes, for a lot of other things that he’s done, it’s exactly the same. I think he had a really good performance overall; I think what he brings to the team, it’s a lot sometimes. I understand that people cannot appreciate it, we certainly do that, and on top of that he got rewarded with a goal.
on if this is a big step:
Well, it’s another step and it’s just half-time, and we know the big fight that we’re going to have back at the Emirates in a few weeks’ time, because they are a top side.
on Ben White:
I think I’ve said it many times about how I feel about Ben and not [just] what he’s done in the last few weeks, but what he’s done for us in the last few years. He’s shown that in various contexts that he’s a player that’s going to give absolutely everything for the team, that he’s always there, he’s someone you can count on in any circumstances, and I think tonight he’s done what he has to do.
on if our throw-in coach had a say in one of our goals tonight:
I don’t know anything about that.
on Martin Zubimendi’s goal:
Well, I think when we talk about Zubi, it’s what else can he do? He can do whatever he wants, it’s a bit similar to Declan’s qualities. We just have to keep unlocking that in his system, in his brain, because he’s so good at occupying different spaces, carrying the ball, dribbling, winning duels, and he has a talent when he gets into the final set and into the box. He’s so composed; he sees the picture very clear. The picture actually is clear sometimes, I know the parts of the pitch and what he’s done today, I think it’s phenomenal, not only the goal but the performance as well.
on if the gap between tonight and the next semi-final leg will be affected by our other games:
I don’t know. In 20 minutes, I’m going to start to be thinking about [Nottingham] Forest and start to prepare then and make sure everybody recovers from that, that’s the routine that we have. Very happy with what we’ve done tonight, put it to bed and now focus on the next one.
on what this does for our momentum:
Really good, because it’s a really tough place to come. They are top side and when you watch them live as well, the quality that they have, how they open you up in a second with the quality that they have, it’s impressive. So that’s why I really value what the team has done again.
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