Every word from Arteta’s post-Sporting presser | Press conference | News

There was plenty to discuss after an eventful, historic win against Sporting CP in Lisbon on Tuesday.

In his post-match press conference Mikel Arteta was asked about the performance, being ruthless, the impact of the win, Gabriel’s fitness and more.

Here’s everything he had to say…

On tonight’s five-star performance…

For sure, especially against the opponent that we played in their home, I don’t think they’ve lost a game in 18 months. They’ve been in top form, they did better than anyone they played here, so to play to the level, with the determination, the purpose, and the fluidity that we’ve done today, very pleased.

On the way we played…

Yeah, well, it’s true that the result is very different by the performance, and as well the intensity of the opponent that we faced when we played Inter. I was so pleased with what I saw, and I knew that in that pathway, good things were going to happen in Europe. Today we’ve been able to do that and replicate it and be even more efficient in the opposition half. And, very pleased because the team played with so much courage, because they are so good. and watching them live, I realised how good they are.

On Martin Odegaard’s display…

Yes, he was again, I think all the boys, you know, if not you don’t have the dominant performance and the score line that we have managed to get on the game today, they were all exceptional today.

On wanting to be more ruthless…

Yes, because you cannot speculate and we had a period after 39, 40 minutes that we started to do that and I had to stop it because that’s the tendency the team wants to do, to control it.

We are not good at doing that. Unfortunately, they scored very early in the second half and that created some momentum. But we dealt with it really well. As I said, it was a big performance, a big win, and we’re really happy.

On if this is a statement win…

For sure, the performance was there a few times and when we have played big teams, when we have played PSG, we were exceptional, again, when we played Bayern we were exceptional and some mistakes cost us. Now it’s Inter, now it’s this level, that’s the level we have to be able to cope and you have to make it happen, then that creates belief, then on the next one the players will be better prepared. We need that consistency because the ability to do it is there.

On what’s changed since the international break…

A lot, because we were training with 11-12 players for a long period so they could not train and play and then suddenly almost everybody is fit and available. It’s true, we are still managing certain players but their level is rising. I have no doubt we have the right ability, we are going to be a really good side.

On Gabriel’s fitness…

We don’t know because he said he was feeling some discomfort so I was about to make the change of Ras [Raheem Sterling] but I couldn’t make the sub and we had to make other ones.

On Partey’s form this season…

I would agree with you, I think it’s one of the best performances I have seen from him, especially the way he’s dominated the game so that’s the level he can play, he’s progressing. This year he’s been so consistent as well because he always has a role, that’s a big thing, he’s a massive player for us.

On the key to winning…

We were so good, you have to be so good in every department and we suffered as well in many moments in the game but we were so effective and so efficient when we start to attack the position and today that was a big difference.