This is the full transcript of Arsenal team manager Mikel Arteta's post-match press conference following the Gunners 2-0 win over Southampton
Mikel Arteta spoke well about Bukayo Saka after Arsenal's win over Southampton
The interviewer said "good win Mikel, how relieved were you?
The manager replied "We had two very difficult weeks with a lot of things that happened to us. I was concerned after the defeat at Brighton, the way we threw the game away, it really touched the team, confidence is everything in this game. We had to lift them up but I could see yesterday that the reaction was really positive, they were really at it and we just demanded them to play together, to enjoy competing with each other and defending each other as much as possible and they will be fine. It was an important win for us."
The second question from the interviewer "Granit Xhaka came back, you miss him when he's not there don't you?
Manager's reply "He's a big presence. He's someone that doesn't hide, he has very clear principles and values and he puts that on the pitch every time he's there and he's come in and he's excellent. I think he sets a really good example for the rest but I don't like to use [single out] any individual. I think today the starters, the subs and the players I didn't use were all with the right energy, right commitment and right intention every time they jumped in the pitch."
The third question from the interviewer "can you explain your thinking of leaving Matteo Guendouzi out?
Manager's reply "It was squad management."
Fourth question from the interviewer "how much does the result renew belief that European football can be attained?
Manager's reply "I don't want to talk about what's going to happen in the table, I am concerned about what we do every day in training and how we prepare and compete in the games. We had two very different games against City and Brighton. Against City, we lost two players in 20 minutes and played 45 minutes with 10 men and gave them two goals. Against Brighton, we had total control of the game and threw it away in seven minutes. I know what this team can do but only when we are 100 per cent focused and competing and committed to what we do. If not, at the moment we are average. Today we showed when we do it we are difficult to beat and we can win in any ground."
The fifth question from the interviewer "did game management win you the match today?
Manager's reply "Absolutely. We have to develop and evolve as a team and there is a lot of things we have to improve, recognise and probably go through in a negative way to learn but they [the team] are so willing. The way they follow us it's incredible. I never criticise the effort or how much they want it, I was a little bit critical at how we competed and how we gave the opponent [Brighton] points, that's the disappointment. There are small details, I know we are a very young team with a lot of inexperience but in the Premier League, we have to manage some moments. You cannot play the same way for 100 minutes, it's not possible."
Sixth question from the interviewer "was the back three something worked on over lockdown? Will we see it again?
Manager's reply "We will change the game plan in relation to what we want to generate attacking-wise as well as how we constrain the opponent and control their strengths better. As well with the players, we have, what's the best fit for everyone to play in their positions and be more comfortable and secure about their jobs. We don't have the flexibility I'd like right now to change more things but it's part of the process."
The seventh question from the interviewer "how important was it to win before Sheffield United in the FA Cup?
Manager's reply "[It was] very important because confidence is everything in sport - in general - but when you play team sport even better because you have to share that chemistry, those feelings, that energy. The win will be very good for the squad, the belief and to keep going on the process that we have said and as well because of all the injuries and things that have been happening, the team suffers a little bit. It's a lot to take in a very short space of time but they are so willing."
Eighth question from the interviewer "was Guendouzi's absence linked to comments made to Brighton players?
Manager's reply "Whatever issue we have internally, I will resolve it in a private way. I explained what I can explain and that's it."
Ninth question from the interviewer "does it enhance your decision making when you drop Guendouzi and Ozil and win? Are the Arsenal players getting the message of the standards you expect?
Manager's reply "I don't like to make decisions to send messages. The messages I send to the team or individually are very open and clear with how I feel. Winning is the most important thing and when you win it's fine."
Tenth question from the interviewer "what do you have to say about Eddie Nketiah's performance?
Manager's reply "Eddie since I joined, the maturity and personality that he plays [with in] every game is incredible. I demand a lot from the forward players to put the opponent under pressure and they've done it. A lot of the goals we score are because of the errors we force on the opponent.
"In that heat to keep chasing players and putting them under pressure, sometimes it's not a nice thing to do but when you get a goal and the mistakes they [Southampton] done that could have led to a few other goals, it's really important. It generates belief in what they do and pays the price a little for the effort it makes. I am happy with Eddie, the way he's played today again, but I am happy with the team and I'm really happy with the subs, the way they came and how much they helped the team and the attitude that they showed today."
Eleventh question from the interviewer "what can you say about Bukayo Saka's performances and how important is it that he stays?
Manager's reply "It's in his hands. He has a manager who has total belief in him, a club that really supports him and teammates that adore him for who he is. He's such a nice boy, he's very intelligent and he's so willing to learn. He's eager to be the best, he trains to be the best every day and you can put him in different positions and he picks [them] up really quickly. The decisions he makes, he takes risks, I think he [could have] produced three goals today easily and the maturity that he shows on the pitch is really good."
Below are some facts vs Southampton
Rob Holding vs Southampton (A):
4/4 aerial duels won
8 clearances
2 blocks
1 interception
0 fouls
87.2% pass completion
MAN OF THE MATCH!
No team has had more goalscorers aged 20 or under in the Premier League this season than Arsenal:
Gabriel Martinelli
Eddie Nketiah
Joe Willock
Jack Stephens has been sent off twice in the Premier League:
vs. Arsenal (2018)
vs. Arsenal (2020)
@EddieNketiah9 has now scored six goals from just 11 starts in all competitions this season for both Arsenal (4) and Leeds (2).
