Every word Mikel Arteta said on Erling Haaland, Arsenal ‘dark arts’ and Martin Odegaard injury

Mikel Arteta has spoken to the press at London Colney ahead of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup clash with Bolton Wanderers.

The Spaniard answered questions on the fall out from Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City where his side were accused of employing the dark arts after they were reduced to 10 men following Leandro Trossard’s red card. Arteta himself also had an exchange with Erling Haaland at full time in which the Norwegian forward told him to “be humble.”

There was also time in the press conference to look ahead to Wednesday’s clash with Bolton. Arsenal are expected to hand starts to several youngsters including Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly in the game. Here’s every word Arteta had to say.

It was a very emotional game at the end. They all are in different ways from the one we played on Sunday probably. But yeah, looking forward to tomorrow.

It’s part of football, part of sport. After the game, all that goes away and we move on. That’s it.

Are you surprised by the reaction to your style of play in the game?

Well, we had to play the game that we had to play. The first 10, 15 minutes, we couldn’t with 11vs11. Then we got much better. Then we were thrown in a very different context and did what every team does. They played 30 seconds with 10 men. Look what they did for 30 seconds. It’s normal what they did. We had to do it in a different way.

We learnt from the past. Unfortunately we’ve been in the same situation a few times. We were in that same situation with Granit [Xhaka] after 38 minutes and we lost 5-0. We’d better learn. If not I would be thick, very thick.

Is the threshold for the second yellow too low?

I reflected post match and it’s the same reflection today.

So you want more consistency?

It’s the same answer as I gave. I was very clear about it I think.

When you sit here now, how proud are you of what the team did in the circumstances?

Extremely proud. I think the desire that the team has to compete in any context and to adapt to different ways of playing and handle that emotionally and physically, is superb. Happy? No. But understanding how difficult that context is and what we had to deal with and as well with the players we had out, it was a significant improvement. But not happy because we want to win.

What’s the team news for Bolton?

I always prefer the facts to words or supposing things. Let’s see who is available tomorrow and then we can talk about dark arts or these things or if it’s a reality.

Are there players not available tomorrow?

Unfortunately, yes there will be a few players not available.

Tomorrow you will find out. As soon as I give the line up.

Any serious injuries picked up on Sunday?

We have to wait on one of them.

You’ve had players sent off in the past two games for kicking the ball away…

For passing it you mean.

Have you had to remind them not to do that?

Yeah I think so. Don’t touch the ball. We will play without the ball.

City took the Carabao Cup seriously when you were there. Is that the mentality you want to bring to Arsenal?

 

For sure we want to win the game tomorrow. We have to start with the first game and understand who the best team is to beat Bolton.

We’ve seen teams rotate a lot in this competition. Would you make 10 changes?

At the moment we can’t because we don’t have another 10 players available.

How many youngsters will we see tomorrow?

It’s a great opportunity for any player to show what they are doing in the games if they didn’t get the chance to play yet. To transform what they’ve been doing in training and give us the right reason on the pitch.

Can you believe how good Gabriel and Saliba have become as a partnership?

No. The reality is no because we have to see their development day by day. We believed that they could become really good. That togetherness and chemistry is unique and really good. I’m very proud to have them. The level they’ve showed is incredible.

What’s Sterling been like since he arrived?

Very good. He’s had a few minutes already and tomorrow he has another opportunity. He’s ready and really hungry to have more minutes and start to impact the team in the way he can. Hopefully tomorrow we can see that.

First of four home games in a row. Importance of connection with the supporters?

It’s great to know that. Night games are very special at the Emirates. We start to make any occasion special. I think the team is going to benefit massively from that. We’re going to give importance to the competition to create a really good atmosphere for our players and difficult for the opponent.

Raya one of those a doubt? Ready to play Porter?

Let’s see how they are today and we will try to make a call on that, if we believe that is a possibility.

Seems like, as much as team want to play attractive football, they actually enjoy the fight? Noticed that?

It is not something that we notice, it is something that we had to instil in them – because you cannot play without that level of concentration, focus and discipline for that long, thrown into that context, if you don’t love it. Somehow you have to love. If not, you start to miss bits and spaces and the passes start to break and you get punished.

We often talk about your influences in football, you played during Jose Mourinho’s dominant Chelsea era, did he influence you?

More than influence, I think you learn a lot from other top coaches and you just try to understand why they have been successful, what really touches that team that makes it really special and very consistent – especially to win at this level. At this level, and with the amount of games we are playing, you might have an idea, you think the game can go in that direction, but if goes in a different direction, do you have the ability to adapt and be happy now playing that game? Because that is the level we are in.

Big moments for Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly at Spurs and City. How did they cope with them?

I’m really proud of them because they are dealing with a situation that is probably a little unexpected. They have had the chance to play in two of the most historic and difficult grounds in the Premier League and both responded really well.

Mehmet Ali said when they came back from the US tour they carried themselves more like first team players. Is that something you could sense?

What I’ve seen is that they’ve developed in a really positive way. To influence others and raise the standards. They are responsible for that because they have to carry others as well now. Their attitude has been superb. It’s not easy when you spend five-six weeks with the first team and then have to play at a different level but this is where they are at the moment and they’re going to have more chances because they have conducted themselves in the right way in that sense as well. I think that’s a really important thing.

Do you need to win a trophy this season to be considered successful or do you not view it that way?

In terms of trophies, success only comes when you win. How you measure success and what you associate with that word, we can probably have a deeper conversation. But we are here to win both the big competitions and the ones that aren’t considered as big.

Any news on Zinchenko?

I think he will still be out for a few weeks.

More insight on Ethan’s character… Does he ask a lot of questions?

Those two (Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly) are really pushy and demanding! They want to see everything. They want more and more information. They love it and you can tell they are so passionate about it. They see the opportunity and want to grab it with both hands. They are great to work with.

Time frame on Odegaard?

No, but I think it will be a matter of weeks. How long exactly, I cannot tell you

Before the international break?

We might get a surprise but I think it’s unlikely.

Dark arts. Is that language fair?

I don’t know. It’s opinions and that’s it. But as I mentioned before I think other things will be factors and that’s it. We will use the facts.

What are the other factors?

Well, if a player is faking something that means he will carry on and be involved in the squad and play.

Was becoming more streetwise an aim when you first took charge because of the perception of Arsenal before?

All managers want a team that is happy and able to compete in any context thrown at you. This is what we want to achieve as a team.