Atmosphere feels really positive. What’s that about?
First of all, they get on really well and you can sense that. There is a combination between desire to win and competing between them and enjoyment. That’s why the atmosphere is really good .
How good was it to have Jesus back?
It was great to see him back, you can feel the happiness of everyone, the players and the staff around him. We missed him and now he’s back.
Do you have to manage his minutes now?
We have to manage his minutes, his involvement in the squad and the team. He’s feeling good and every day he’s training he says his sensations are better and better, so that’s really positive.
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Are you looking to rotate tomorrow?
We are looking to win. We’re looking to do the same as we did in Lisbon but we’re going to have to do better than we did in Lisbon last week to win tomorrow.
You weren’t happy with how they defended in Lisbon. What changed on Sunday?
It was a big difference. The desire that we showed to get the ball back, the aggression we showed. the way we defended the boxes. That’s what we have to show tomorrow. Against top quality in Europe they punish you the moment you give them space. Certainly tomorrow that cannot be the case.
Is the Europa League as a distraction?
No. We haven’t had big European nights for three years. Due to COVID especially. Tomorrow is the first one for a while. Hopefully we will build a big atmosphere and enjoy with our supporters against a really good team that is going to put a big challenge in front of us.
Are you surprised by how well Haaland has played this year?
No, but when you look at what he’s done in the past and surrounded by the manager and the team, and the individuals that he has he’s only going to get better. And obviously with his age he’s only going to get better, so it’s incredible what he did.
Are you looking at City’s form
We cannot control that. We know the standards that have been set in the past few years. We have to meet them if we want to be up there.
Pep said Julia Roberts is one of his idols. Who are yours?
I cannot think but I’m sure there are a lot. Someone I admire for a long time is Rafa Nadal because of his mentality, what he’s won, the way he’s done it, how many times he’s come back. For me he would be in top of the list for sure.
So you hope he’d chose Arsenal over Tottenham?
I hope so yes.
How’s Nketiah?
He’s getting better. He’s still in the boot. He’s still a few weeks away and we need to be patient. It was a nasty injury and he has a big challenge ahead of him. Thank God it could have been worse. So he’s not in a bad place.
Are there any other concerns ahead of tonight?
No I don’t think so.
Will you make more changes tomorrow than Lisbon?
Let’s see what will happen tomorrow.
Could Ben White be in the England squad tomorrow?
He is available for us so for sure he will be available for the England squad.
Any issues with England after the World Cup?
As far as I am concerned, no. He has been in very good form, available for every single match and has been performing well for us.
With Emile’s lack of minutes at the moment and Trossard playing, do you have to remind him that he’s still in your plans?
No he knows that. He knows how much we love him and how much we missed him and how much we need his qualities. Now he needs to prove it and how much he wants to win and how much he’s going to contribute to this team to be better. He’s gonna have to show that to get in the team.
Is it a case of managing his minutes now or will you just throw him in?
I think we have to manage his load, but for sure he’s in a position where we can throw him in at any moment. Then it’s about how he’s coping with the game in general and whether to take him off or use him for the last few minutes of the game.
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