In the second half of his pre-Ipswich press conference, Mikel Arteta reflected further on Arsenal’s dramatic night in Madrid, addressing how his side’s experience in the Premier League has shaped their mentality.
He also touched on the bigger picture, discussing what it will take for the Gunners to truly compete across four fronts in the seasons to come.
On how Arsenal have progressed to the Champions League semi-finals two years after returning to the competition…
Probably the daily work that the players put in, and the belief that we generated, the fact that in our league we compete against the best teams in the world every single week. So that’s the best preparation for Europe, I think. So sometimes we used to say, if we go to Europe, are we able to do it in Europe? And I keep telling them, you’ve done it three days ago against one of the best teams in Europe away, so don’t think that. They have to be thinking, can they do it against the teams in the Premier League? And playing with that belief that you are exposed, highly exposed every single week here in this league, we have the tools, we have the experience and the resources to outplay and overcome any situation. And then, yeah, after you have to do it.
On navigating crazy atmospheres away from home…
I think they’ve been quite different. Certain games, like Sporting, we started really well, we were very dominant. We were ruthless in the box, straight away knowing the chances that we had, and that gives you a platform. And in Madrid, it was different. The first 15, 20 minutes were trickier. They generated some momentum. We had a penalty, missed it. But I think emotionally the team has dealt with very different circumstances very well.
On Andrea Berta being happy to get one over Real Madrid after joining from Atletico Madrid…
Well, especially because when you go into a new club in the middle of the season, everything is new, I think he hopes that everything goes well and stays well, and I’m part of it. He was really happy, obviously. He’s really ambitious, he’s a winner, and he was really happy.
On whether he’s surprised Arsenal are the only English side in the Premier League…
Well, at the end, the margins are so small. Look at [Aston] Villa. At the end, they could have been through. And any other night, they could have done it. But, yeah, I think the level when you come to that stage between teams is not a big difference, but sometimes it’s an individual performance, a detail that dictates the tie.
On whether he’s done anything different this week to return focus to the Premier League…
Yeah, turn the page now, this is the Premier League. We have two very important games ahead of us to continue giving us momentum and put us in the place that we have been throughout the last nine months. We have to be so committed and focused on that now.
On whether Arsenal could have done more to challenge Liverpool this season…
For sure, there will be things that we could have done. I mean, if not, you would have won every game, regardless of any injuries, any situation, any red card, any referee’s decision. But it is what it is. We will make an analysis of what we’ve done well and not that well at the end of the season. But probably the question would be, if you tell me in August all these things are going to happen to your team, where do you see your team finishing? Probably that would be the right answer.
On how he evolves a team to compete for all four trophies at once…
Squad quality and availability. Without those two, you cannot compete in four competitions at this level, especially in this country, impossible.
On whether depth or quality is more important…
Both, both. The higher the quality, the higher the availability, the more chances and probability you have. After you have to do it, but the probability goes high.
On whether wins like Tuesday’s in the Bernabeu can persuade players towards joining Arsenal…
Maybe, that is another factor. But I think we are very lucky because we are a football club that, every time I’ve spoken to players, they want to be part of it. That’s something that probably can generate more enthusiasm, more belief and the fact that, OK, I want to be part of these nights now because the club is in a good place. But I think overall, we are already so strong that we can attract any player.
