on the performance ...
"We had a hangover from last week definitely -
you could see that in the first-half. We needed to dig deep to find
the pace of the game. In the second-half we were a little bit
better but lacked that spark. The reason we got a point today was
the desire and the refusal to lose."
on the strength of Aston Villa ...
"Aston Villa were a difficult opponent who
defended very well and who were sharp on the break. I must say they
are a team with very robust players and you feel always they expose
your defenders to the physical challenge - in a fair way but in a
way that can be dangerous for you. They take advantage of every
mistake. Up front, too, they are a handful.
"I must say that I was impressed by Villa. Until the last minute they didn't give us any space, or time on the ball and they are team who are very difficult to beat."
on the title race ..
"I believe the point we gained today will have
a big impact on the Premier League, and staying top helps. You know
you go through a spell like that and I believe that the point
gained can have vital importance.
"For the observers we will not be favourite and Manchester United will be but I believe that we are top, a point in front, have just one game all season and me maybe in a bad spell at the moment but we will bounce back and I am confident we will do it. That point today can make a big difference.
"The momentum is with Manchester United so people will say they are favourites but of course for me Arsenal are favourites."
on Adebayor not scoring ...
"We want to be successful and it is important
the responsibility is shared by the players and other players
score. That is why I am not worried because if the team plays well
Adebayor will score again."
on getting players back ...
"At the moment we need to get our players back.
We have Tomas Rosicky and Robin van Persie who are out and in the
context of today you would like to have those players with you and
hopefully we can get them back very quickly.
He (Van Persie) might be in squad for Tuesday but certainly won't start. We will asses him on Monday morning."
on the reported 'Eduardo' chants by
Villa fans ...
"You expect better from people who come to
football stadiums. It looks that intelligence and stupidity can
have no limits. Unfortunately stupidity has won."
