In the second half of his pre-Sp*rs press conference, Mikel Arteta reflected on the confidence many of his players have taken from World Cup qualification. He also discussed Martin Zubimendi’s impressive adaptation to life at Arsenal, his belief that the squad can cope without the injured Gabriel Magalhaes, and his confidence that Bukayo Saka will sign a new long-term deal. Here’s what he had to say…
On players reaching the World Cup for the first time and whether they use that as motivation…
Keep that in the system, put the World Cup now in a drawer until March, that’s it. Now it’s Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal.
On the players being happy and whether he’s told them now to focus on Arsenal…
Yeah, which is great, because that emotional state is very contagious and really positive. We need to maintain that, and the better we do here, the better it’s going to be for every national team as well.
On whether the players who’ve qualified will enjoy a boost in confidence…
I hope you are right. 3, 4% [increase] by how many players…7, 8, 12? We are a super team. So I hope that’s the case, yeah.
On what Zubimendi has brought to the team…
First of all, you have to adapt to the league in the physical and emotional parts. It’s not easy. The demands that you put in. You come to a different club, different country, he’s never been away from home. You have to deal with all that. He’s done it brilliantly there. Why? Because he’s such a good character that is connected with everybody so fast. He’s very loved already in the dressing room by all the staff here. And then his qualities. He’s such a talented and intelligent player that he picks things immediately. And when that happens, and you have good players around you, normally that’s a good combination to be successful. But it’s easier to say that to get it done, and he needs to continue like that because still he can improve and do much more for the team, and that’s the aim.
On Declan Rice playing further up the pitch as a result of Zubimendi’s quality…
At the end when we start to put together different qualities that we have in midfield and Ebs [Eze] is one and Declan and Martin they play together, the three of them. We need certain different interactions as well and the capacity to be more unpredictable as well in terms of positioning and he’s brought that to the team and individually to other players as well.
On Zubimendi’s threat in the box…
The last game [against Sunderland] is a great example. He hits the bar, he puts one across very close to the post, he has another action that he dribbles inside and shoots with the right foot. On set pieces, he’s been very good as well. We need that, a total player.
On Gabriel being the most difficult player in the squad to replace…
I don’t know. Obviously, he’s a big, big player for us, but the good thing is that we have experienced that [not having him]. Last yea,r in the most crucial moment of the season, we were without him for three months, and the team managed and remained super competitive. We won a lot of matches, we were defensively really good against very, very tough opponents, so we need to do it again.
On whether Gabriel will continue to be around the team despite being on the sidelines…
Yeah, the fact that you cannot play or train doesn’t mean that you cannot do all the other activities and add value to the team, and he’s going to be very close to the team.
On being relaxed / confident about contract negotiations with Bukayo Saka…
I prefer that word, I think it’s confident [I feel] because while Bukayo has admitted to me and the club and Emek as well that they want to continue to be here. I think it’s a very healthy and powerful relationship. The journey that he had at the club and what he’s become is something that we want to maintain, and I think that’s something that is going to leave a legacy at this football club, and he needs to fulfil that role, which is great.
On contract agreements being reached comparatively smoothly in recent years…
Yeah, I think it’s been a very clear vision and route on how we wanted to do things. I think the ownership has been incredibly supportive and determined to make sure that we can continue the journey with these players and maintain the core of the team, and then the efficiency that everybody that works upstairs, starting with Andrea [Berta] and all the team, to get things done. At the end, there’s always three parties, and it’s never an easy thing to get done.
