Why did you choose to play the youngsters again even after Milan scored?
If we want to develop players you have to expose them in different contexts. I thought today was perfect to understand how they can compete even though they’re really young. We have to put them in those scenarios if we want to develop our players.
It must be pleasing to see Ben White playing again?
Very pleased. Everybody has been giving him a lot of support and love. We know the reasons he had to leave the camp. We are delighted to have him back and he looked in really good shape.
Partey played a lot at the World Cup too.
He played a lot and he was disappointed by the way he had to leave the World Cup but it happens to every nation that they are out. It takes a few days to reset and to focus on the team. The good thing we have is that everybody has been showing that they are desperate to get back as quick as possible. It was really good to have those two back today playing some minutes.
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When will you have Bukayo and the others back?
That will take a few more days. Granit is already here, he stayed here and he is already training and willing to participate on the weekend. We don’t have that many away now so it’s a positive thing.
You look very sharp in this camp
We have to raise the standards. We’ve discussed about the things that we’ve been doing really well and it’s not a coincidence the way we’ve been performing. But if we want to challenge at the top we have to improve certain things. We’ve been lucky because we brought a lot of kids here, but what they’ve done is they’ve not only maintained the standards, but they’ve increased the standards. Thank you so much to them because they’ve been key in this camp to have a successful period of training and competition.
Did you have any conversations with Ben?
I’ve been having conversations with all the players at the World Cup. Not only with Ben but with all the players to try to give support when somebody needs it.
Walid Regragui, the Morocco manager, attended a tactics seminar that you gave a year ago. What do you feel about your impact on him ahead of the semi-final tomorrow?
The impact on him he deserves it and what he is doing is totally amazing, what the team is transmitting is great. I think it’s a really positive thing for world football to have an African team at this stage where there are four very selective teams at this World Cup.
When you see stories questioning Ben’s character how does that make you feel?
We can’t control that. I know who Ben is, what he needs, what his character is and how happy we all are to have him at the club.
Is it too much to focus on winning a trophy here or is it good to breed a winning mentality?
It’s trying to get everybody with the same purpose and objective. They know which one that is. We have to refocus. The World Cup is a big distraction. You have to pay respect because it’s a huge competition but for us at club level we still have a lot to do in the season.
Have any players in the World Cup caught your eye that you might consider signing for Arsenal?
There are a few for sure, and a few national teams, what some of the national teams are doing is very interesting and it shows where the game is and how the game is evolving. Any individual player I will keep it to myself.
Will Arsenal be active in the transfer window?
We are looking and we are very active looking at the possibilities. If we can find the players that can strengthen the team we will try.
Lots of people think Arsenal will be the winners of the Premier League. What do you think?
I hope so. I hope they are right.
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