There was plenty for Mikel Arteta to discuss following our record-breaking win over Sheffield United on Monday.
The 6-0 meant we became the first side in English league history – across all levels – to win three successive away games by at least five goals, following big wins at West Ham and Burnley last month.
Afterwards the boss was asked about the performance, injuries, the title race, Thomas Partey’s return to action and much more.
Here’s a full transcript from his post-match press conference.
On tonight's performance:
A great night – it’s a really difficult place to come but the way we started the game obviously made the difference. We were really aggressive, really positive and we showed real quality, especially in the final third to take the game into a position where it was in a big favour for us and then we maintained it. We maintained the rhythm, the hunger and I love that about the team.
On Bukayo Saka's substitution:
He was feeling a bit sick and as well we have Fabio who we have to give minutes. It was great opportunity [for us] and then we had a little issue with Gabi Martinelli as well, he had a slight cut on his foot and we have to wait and see how he is.
On goal difference potentially being the difference in the title race:
We don’t know. Obviously, the fact we scored so many goals and not conceding is a great sign, but it’s about winning every game now, and that’s the demands those two clubs have put over the last six or seven years, and that’s the task ahead of us.
On if last summer’s recruits have helped us to hit momentum at the right time:
Yes for sure, and obviously picking the right players that could bring something that we didn’t have to the squad, and they’re certainly doing that and improving every single player, and the mechanisms and culture around the team. They are doing that but there’s still the most part of the season ahead and we know that that’s the case.
On our dominance in tonight’s game:
We are trying to improve in every phase of play; they are understanding the chemistry of the players and the desire they have to constantly be better, and improve in every area. If you do that, there are moments that you can be as dominant but it’s not easy that’s for sure.
On if we will have another mid-season trip:
Well the majority of the squad will have international games, so they’ll be flying to different places and they’ll have two games, so I don’t think we’ll have the opportunity to be together.
On the team's attitude when we were 3-0 up:
Again, obviously that was very early in the game. This is the Premier League, you know the level of the opponent, and you cannot be satisfied. When it comes internally from them, that level of demands is what I see every day in training – they’re pushing each other and trying to make each other better and that chemistry is really important to have the chance to achieve what we want.
On if the boss asks the players to keep scoring:
Obviously, they know and the way we trained, they know that what they want to do. But then you have to manage the game, you have to see as well how the opponent is looking, and today I thought they did really well.
On Thomas Partey's return:
Today obviously Thomas is available now to play a certain number of minutes. He needs to build that, because it was his first minutes after four months which is a long time. And then, like everybody, you need to have the right to earn the minutes.
On continuity being key in the title race:
We believe that today was the best option, at least to start the game. We had a long period after Newcastle, it was nine days, we had the timing. Now it’s going to be very different in the next three days, we have another game, and then Porto so we’re going to have to manage everyone’s minutes.
On Takehiro Tomiyasu's absence:
He’s very close, he’s already doing something on the grass and hopefully we’re going to have him very close with us.
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