Every word Mikel Arteta said on Declan Rice red card, Timber injury and Sterling transfer

A very emotional afternoon. We started well, created three or four chances that we didn’t convert. After that we had a period of some issues, especially with the ball and regaining the ball. We lost it in some difficult areas and lacked some continuity and dominance in that period. We scored a really good goal in a moment where we took advantage of the opponent.

Then we go to half time, we come back, we are really strong. Then the referee makes a decision that changes the course of the game. And still like this with 10 men, the team reacts unbelievably well, the stadium reacts unbelievably well and probably we should have won the game.

What did you make of the red card?

I was amazed. Amazed, amazed, amazed because of how inconsistent decisions can be. In the first half, there are two incidents and nothing happens. Then, in a non-critical area, the ball hits Declan (on the back of his leg), he turns around, he doesn’t see the player coming and he touches the ball. By law, he can make that call, but then by law he needs to make the next call, which is red card so we play 10vs10. This is what amazed me. At this level it’s amazing.

Have you spoken to Declan?

Yeah. He obviously had a reaction that his back was to the ball, that they’re not in the middle of the park, trying to counter or anything. Anyway I repeat myself – by law if you want to do it you have to do it, but you have to do it in the first half and play 10 against 10. That’s it. Very simple.

You said you need to be near perfect to beat City. Is it frustrating Saka or Havertz couldn’t take their chances at the end?

For sure because the spirit and how well we controlled the emotional part of the game because it was a really hard one to take. But the team reacted that way. We showed a lot of discipline. We reacted to what we had to do playing at home with 10 men. We didn’t want to be so deep defending like this, but we read the game and we played the game that we had to play and we should have got rewarded.

Not going to have Declan or Mikel Merino for the North London Derby, how big a blow is that?

Well, this is what happens. We have to adapt to that context. That’s why we have other players that can fulfil that [role] and [I can] give that opportunity to somebody else.

Are you hoping Sterling will be in shape for that game?

We have to see him, speak to him (about) what he’s been doing and how he’s feeling about it and try to find quick wins to get him up to speed as quickly as possible and for him to understand what we are looking for from him in the dynamics of the team. We will use that time to do that and get him involved as soon as possible.

Did the referee explain why he didn’t give yellow cards in the first half but did in the second half?

No.

How do those inconsistencies improve?

No, he was cramping. He got a kick in the first half and then was cramping so we had to take him off.

So it’s not an injury?

I don’t think so.I don’t know, it’s not in our hands.