We started the Premier League season on Saturday afternoon with a 2-0 win over Wolves at the Emirates Stadium.
After the game, Mikel Arteta spoke to the media. Read on to see a selection of the manager’s quotes.
about how the team will pick up where it left off at the end of last season:
Especially at the start of the game, in the first half, we were really good – really aggressive, really intense, very determined, very fast, a lot of threat in the box. We generated a lot – we probably should have scored two or three goals and the game would have been a bit different. In the second half there were moments when we became a bit sloppy and uncontrolled, especially with some ball losses, which is particularly difficult against this team. Then the game was a bit more open and Bukayo had another incredible move to make it 2-0. Then it was a different game.
on the question of whether the team can take another step this season:
When I see the willingness – whether we do it or not – we have to show it every day in the way we play and the results we get. It was the first game – there is always uncertainty about how we will react against a really difficult opponent. We scored two goals, didn’t concede, won, job done.
on Havertz’s goal:
It was a great move – the whole move, the position, the pass, our position in the box, the way he attacked the ball. It was great, a great goal.
Read more
Havertz is happy to have already scored goals
When asked if Rice was okay in the end:
He had a few cramps. He hasn’t had the longest preseason ever, but he’s really trying hard and he put in another incredible performance today.
about how close Arsenal are to the level the team could reach:
Hopefully very far. It’s the first game, so hopefully we can become a better team and develop every week. That’s our goal.
to the team that is getting started:
We will have better days and worse days. (Sometimes) the opponent makes you play differently. Today we won convincingly, but probably in a different way because the game required it.
When asked if he is surprised that teams allow Saka to cut to his left foot:
With Messi, I know he will come here and pass the ball there because he does that all the time – that’s the quality of these players.
on Raya, Rice and Saka, who will be in the starting eleven after their appearance in the final of the Euro 2024:
That doesn’t surprise me. That’s their mentality. Right after the (final) they said: ‘I’ll be ready for the first game.’ I spoke to them in the summer to work out their best plan. They wanted to be there early, they wanted to be back. They were already preparing for it. We know we need that mentality. If the players do that, that compromise will grow in the team and they will raise the level. That’s what we need.
Read more
Arteta is pleased with Wolves’ path to victory
when asked if he initially thought he would have to leave out Raya, Rice and Saka:
First of all, yes. You really have to understand where they are, what they need, give them some space and let them breathe. They’ve been through a lot and these kids have played a lot of football in the last two years. But when you see that willingness, that energy to say, “I’m really, really happy to be back,” and you see that that’s genuine, that’s a good sign.
about how much more comfortable Havertz feels in his environment:
Players need time to adapt and get to know everyone – the club, the relationships, the system. The way he handles certain situations and the way he plays has earned everyone’s trust and respect.
on Raya’s parade in the first half:
Unbelievable! I think that was the first time they ever had a try. We didn’t defend the box well and then David made an unbelievable save.
on the clean sheet and Zinchenko in the starting eleven:
We take it game by game. Jurrien has been struggling in the last few weeks and hasn’t played a minute in the last two or three weeks. Riccardo has just arrived and is getting used to a lot of things. They are both progressing really well and we have a lot of competition there, which is great for the team. You could see that Alex, especially in the first half, was really good. In the second half we needed (something) different and we had the opportunity to change something there.
on the preseason speech about the need to get 114 points:
First of all, I was in LA and they asked me what we need to win the Premier League for sure. I said 114 points. But that doesn’t mean we have to do that. Talking about it after the first game doesn’t make sense. This is a new story this season, hopefully a beautiful one, that we have to write from the beginning. Today was the first chapter of it. Let’s write some beautiful stories and be prepared for the not so beautiful ones to respond to them in the best possible way.
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