on the victory
"A loss could have been decisive but this win reinforces the
belief that we are a very strong side. I would never have thought
that our challenge would have been over if we had lost but
psychologically it might have been difficult for the
players."
on his team's belief
"I can keep telling the players they are great but if the
words are not backed up by points, it is bound to have a
subconscious effect on the players. I believe they have been very
quick to draw their conclusions but equally, I am not stupid enough
to think nothing can happen to us. I have seen very good teams
suddenly look average when doubt creeps in. Given those
circumstances, and the authority with which we played, this has to
be my best win over United at Old Trafford and one that sends out
the right signals to everyone."
on Arsenal being in transition
"We are not a team in transition. I have never believed that.
Yes we are a young team but I have great belief in these players.
We are a big club. We are very ambitious and I believe we can win
the title this season. To read the papers recently you would
think we would be in the Championship next season."
on the penalty
"He said he slid because there was a hole [on the pitch].
Everybody came in at half time and wanted to fight for him and win
the game. He takes the penalties well. But the keeper had certainly
seen the last penalty of Gilberto, that is why he went to the
right."
on Cesc Fabregas
"He was absolutely outstanding. He does not stop from the
first to the last minute. His passing is fantastic. He defends, he
attacks and in the last five minutes he was still in the box, every
time. He was amazing."
on Arsenal's mentality
"Every player did well and I am pleased with the mental
strength. But the fact that we were 1-0 [up] nearly and then missed
a penalty, basically that is [like being] 1-0 down, so the way we
came out in the second half to win the game tells you a lot about
the spirit and mental strength of the team."
on explaining his team's slow start
"We were really disturbed after the World Cup. We had lots of
players at the World Cup, lots of young ones too. It took them some
time to recover. I never really saw the players until this week
because of the international schedule. I told the players to be
faithful to the way we play. I said it is because we do not win
that are being criticised for the way we play. We just want to be
better at what we want to do."
