What were your thoughts on the game today Mikel?
Really happy, really pleased, the way we started the game I was already really pleased with how they reacted to Thursday. We took any question mark away from it, showed a lot of determination and purpose in our way of playing. Really happy to perform the way we did after playing 120 minutes, after losing two big players for us and then still compete and win the game in the way that we did.
Is Bukayo Saka the best player in the league?
The team did really well. We have individuals that excel to be at the level that we want. B was again really good today. Really affecting the game with his contribution, especially in the opponents box. So yeah really happy with him.
Tomi left the stadium on crutches. Will he play again this season?
We don’t know. The doctor is assessing. We have one assessment and I think they need to have another assessment tomorrow. It’s not looking good. Tomi is not one to exaggerate things. He was really concerned straight away and we are concerned.
Is there a bit more hope around Saliba, and how did you think Rob Holding did?
We hope Willy is going to be better news. Again we have to wait to tomorrow to get a better picture. We lost players, we lost Gabi for four months, we lost Thomas for one and a half months, we lost Alex Zinchenko for one and a half months, we lost Mo Elneny for six to eight months. Now we’ve lost Eddie and Tomiyasu or Saliba. Everybody has to give a bit more. It’s not a secret. If we want to maintain that level we have to give more and Rob is clear example of what we needed today.
Another goal conceded from a set piece. How do you change that?
Training more, working more. Don’t give more hope to the opponent that that’s a weakness. We have tried to train it. We didn’t have a lot of time with the amount of games we’ve played in the last three weeks, but it’s for sure something that we need to do better.
How did the team rally around Martinelli after his penalty miss on Thursday?
They were a team straight away. He’s not someone that is very concerned. He takes responsibility, chances and when you see him running around the next day with that energy, honestly I wasn’t very concerned about it.
What’s changed about Xhaka to get him scoring again?
Believing again. Getting in the right positions, believing the ball is going to land there and then being clinical. I told him today ‘you’re going to score again’ because when you have that mindset and you are there and you see the way he’s training, good things are going to happen. He’s been phenomenal all season.
How do you help Saka and Martinelli to be their best versions?
Just make sure that every day they do the right things. They eat the right things, they live the right way and everything that they put in this brain is the right information. Don’t get confused because it’s about tomorrow, it’s about the next day and this is what we have to do. To be fair they have right environment, the right families, the right agent, and it’s not a coincidence that they behave consistently the way they do. That’s why they can perform at the level they do.
Eight points clear going into the international break. What’s the message to the players when they come back?
That they really look after themselves in this period. We will look after the players that are with us here. That they come back with the same mindset and hunger from before to go into Leeds which is the only important game right now. We know it.
How much of a concern is it that injuries could happen after what happened to Jesus last time?
I want to think positively. Touch wood, but I want to think positive. They’re going to have to play games, they have to do it in the way that they do it here or possibly even better with their country. We are in contact with all of them, they know how to look after them and hopefully it will all work out.
READ NEXT:
Martin Odegaard and Arsenal stars to return against Crystal Palace with £21m signing on standby
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Arsenal changes, player fitness and Crystal Palace
Mikel Arteta facing Arsenal team news dilemma amid William Saliba and Tomiyasu injuries
The three Crystal Palace players to miss Arsenal clash after Patrick Vieira announcement
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
