In the embargoed section of his pre-Leeds press conference, Mikel Arteta was asked about his relationship with Declan Rice and the England international’s leadership qualities. He also expanded further on his call for the number of outfield players in Premier League squads to be expanded, and endured an excruciating exchange with journalist Ollie Holt that veered from a Mike Tyson quote to boring stuff about technical area behaviour.
On Declan Rice’s development and what more there is to come from him…
I always say that I don’t know where Declan’s limit is, because the more you spend time with him and watch him train, or I’ll throw him in games in different contexts and opponents, he just gets better. Why? Because his fuel to improve is always there, he’s so consistent, his physicality is amazing, and mentally, he’s a player that can cope with absolutely anything. And that’s very rare to see. So that’s why I think, in my opinion, we have a unique player there, and we have to give him more and more responsibility because he can take it.
On Emmanuel Petit wanting Rice to become nastier with his teammates…
I don’t know if that’s the word, I will use the word demanding, raising and setting standards. He is one that big time, every single day, is there with us, with the teammates, and especially with himself, which is the best way to elevate others’ standards. You do it, and then they have to follow you or know they are exposed.
On whether his decisions ever get questioned by Rice…
In a healthy way, very much, because they know they can come to me with any suggestion, especially how they feel, or what is best for the team, that’s for sure. We talk about the game, we talk about how we live every single day here a lot of times, and he has a big responsibility on that. He has the experience, he has the respect and admiration of the team, and because he’s someone that, when someone has to perform, he’s always there.
On calling for squad sizes to be expanded, and whether that’s been done in an official capacity…
No, it’s just something that we have discussed internally a lot. In the right moments, I have raised that. And with the changes, it was the same when we go from 3 to 5 [subs, and we have other competitions, we’re allowed to bring in 20 outfield players, so it’s my opinion, and because now I see the reaction of the players. I’m sure all the managers, all the clubs and all the players are feeling the same way, because there is nothing worse than not having the opportunity to be there with your team, and we are taking that from them.
On it being raised officially with the Premier League…
Yeah, we’ll use every time [to do it]. We always have surveys when we give our opinions about this, or about the behaviours in the technical area, which are very important, I think. So I think this one is even more important, because at the end, the welfare of the players is the most important. We always say that, so physically, yes, with the games, it looks like we’re not going to change that, so next season we’re not going to play less games. So make sure that at least they can participate and be available if they can help in any of the games.
On playing Leeds and the narrative being Arsenal are having a wibble…
All the narratives except for yours? Win tomorrow, perform so well and win, c’est fini! And we move on to the semi-final [against Chelsea]. That’s the best way.
On Mike Tyson saying ‘everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth’, and Leeds representing a big test after his midweek pep talk…
Yes. What I said about the next four months, I want to approach the next four months with a lot of optimism and conviction that it’s going to go well, and we’re going to go to Elland Road and understand how difficult it is with that mentality. But then we have to do it, and I’m sure we’re going to try our best to do it and to win tomorrow, that’s it. I don’t understand the thing about the punch in the mouth. We don’t [have a plan], you mean?
[after muddled explanation from Mail on Sunday’s Ollie Holt]
Yeah, words, they can have everything, after you have to do it. That’s what we’re here for and we are first because we do it a lot. But in Elland Road, we have to do it and after that, in the semi-final [on Tuesday], we have to do it again [and continue] like this until May. We are very conscious of that.
On whether he’s trying to be more calm in the technical area…
More agitation and more excitement, I thought you were going to go that way, but I’m too relaxed? Evolution, always evolution. What the players need, what the club needs, and what the regulations are. I’m on my way to do that. At Elland Road, I will do what I think is the best for the team.
On what he thinks about the technical area regulations…
Focus much more on the players and what we have to do there. And yeah, we are not perfect, and we have a limitation [with the area,] and we get out of that. I understand that. It’s not conscious. We are living the game, and we want to obviously help the fourth official and the referee and everything that we can because we are very aware that the image of the Premier League is very important. But I think as well there is an element that is very important for the game, and seeing that passion, and I look at a lot of the games and what happened, and it’s normal. If you’re respectful, I think it’s normal.
On what he demands from his leadership group…
That they take ownership and responsibility, and they speak up and talk about how they feel and the things that we have to improve and have open discussions between us, coaches, staff and them. It’s very important. And at the end, they have to manage the dressing room, the energy in that dressing roo,m and if they can do that, it’s much better than me stepping in and doing it.
On Odegaard leading that…
Yeah, he’s one of the leaders.
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[Press conference video – LINK]
