The arrival of David Hytner’s match report is my signal to shut this blog down and enjoy a bit of Celebrity Catchphrase. Thanks for your company, goodnight!
A beaming Mikel Arteta speaks to Sky Sports
So proud. We had to make it happen. We knew there would be moments when we had to suffer, and it was a big, big performance. We were really aggressive in the second half and the changes really helped – they gave us a new energy.
It’s not easy to get out against a high press. What I like is the courage: if it doesn’t happen, keep doing it, keep doing it; that’s the team we are. The crowd need to understand that and not shout at the players (I think that’s what he said) – it’s my fault!
David Raya was excellent. I love players with big courage, and he certainly has… big ones.
[Gabriel Martinelli] is another one with big ones as well. Nobody expected him to be fit – the physios weren’t really having it - but he said yesterday he was available, then Leo [Trossard] got injured, I looked around and he already dressed and ready to go. He’s just a joy.
This game is just part of the journey. You learn from every defeat, every win. The players are a joy to work with; they deserve to live this moment.
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