Every word from Mikel's pre-Liverpool presser

Mikel Arteta faced the media on Good Friday, looking ahead to another hugely important game in the Premier League run in.

The manager faced questions on Bukayo Saka’s fitness, selection problems and facing Liverpool at Anfield.

Here’s a full transcript of what he said…

On team news and Saliba…

There are no real changes with the rest of the players who were still injured. We have some hope with one of them tomorrow - maybe he's able to train.

On whether he can enjoy the run-in…

We do enjoy it, we have to enjoy it. We really need to embrace the moment and go for it. The team is full of enthusiasm and positivity and we know that we have a big challenge, but I see a big opportunity to go to Anfield and do something that we haven't done for many years. That's what is driving the team in the last few days. 

On the corresponding fixture last season and preparation this time…

For us, it's something normal. We prepare for every game in a different way and we prepare the concepts, we prepare the team mentally, and we prepare this scenario that we're going to be playing for. That day [last season], we decided to [train to 'You'll Never Walk Alone']. 

On it getting feisty last season on the touchline…

That happens in football and after that, we hugged each other and move on. Jurgen knows I have full respect and admiration for what he and the coaching staff have done at Liverpool. We've moved on.

On whether he would approach it differently next time…

I don't know. I'd have to be in the situation again. The way I reacted that day was to defend our players in the best possible way and that's it. I don't like seeing myself like that, so hopefully not. 

On whether he has used his own experience of winning there as a player…

We've been to a few grounds where we haven't won in 17, 18 and 22 years. And we have managed to do that, so we are capable of [winning at Anfield]. We know that we're going to have to be our very best to win the game and certainly better than we were there last year, especially in the second half when we just opened up and allowed Liverpool to have space in a really comfortable way. We're going to have to be better than last year, that's for sure.

On his memories of winning at Anfield…

Great because before that win, it had been many years since we had done it. We did it once more: I think it was the year before when van Persie scored in the 95th minute. So some beautiful memories, an incredible stadium to play in and just a unique experience for any player or manager.

On how surprised he is with Liverpool’s season…

I have more admiration because it shows the difficulty of being at the top and transforming a football club, their identity, their beliefs and their competitive capacity for the last six or seven years. It shows how difficult it is to maintain and sustain that level. We all have difficult moments but especially with what they've done at the club, I think it's something remarkable. 

On what he took from their 7-0 win over Manchester United…

They have played games when you look from a broad perspective at those in the league, they are the best. There are things costing them points, that's for sure. But at home, using a different kind of team, we know how it is to play there. We have prepared for that, expecting the best possible Liverpool and us being the best that we can be and with that, we're going to have a chance to win the game.

On Leandro Trossard scoring a hat-trick there this season…

It’s great to have a player that has experience of something really nice and positive from that stadium. He was a crucial player on that day, it was a beautiful game to watch and that’s what we need; players with a lot of belief on that pitch, that we can go there and win it.  

On why it’s so hard to play at Anfield…

That they are a great team, managed by a top manager and they create an incredible atmosphere that makes it really difficult for us, for any opponent, as it is when to come to the Emirates. You know, it’s very, very difficult, so we know that, and the opportunity is ahead of us there on Sunday to do something that we have done in the last two or three years, to win in places that the team didn’t do for many, many years. 

On what has changed for Granit Xhaka this season in front of goal…

[Click] Mentality - feeling capable of doing it and understanding the way he needs to be positioned in the right moments, training and being in every single day, willing to improve and support the team in the area that, in our opinion, was very necessary to take another step forward in a way of playing and winning more games.

On Ben White…

I’m extremely happy with him. Again, he’s been really consistent, he has adapted to the position really well. The way they flow, and the way they play, especially with a few [different] players and the way they link up, it has been great. He will have other opportunities [with England] in the future, for sure.  

On the under-18s reaching the FA Youth Cup final and the women’s team in the Champions League semi-final…

It’s great for the club. That’s what we want, being on the front foot in every competition and having the chance to win prizes. What the Women have done is remarkable, what Jack, the coaching staff and the players did the other night was inspirational. The way it happened at the end so late, I’m so happy because it’s very positive for the club.

On Bukayo Saka being over his illness…

Yes, he is.

On whether Jurgen Klopp is an inspiration… 

For sure and coming from abroad the way he did, the way he installed that key identity, the values, and the way he transmitted and the way everyone bought into it so early. He needed some time and then the results came about in the best possible way, so yes for sure.

On if winning there will prove Arsenal have improved…

Yes, and that’s what we have to prove on Sunday – to be able to go there and perform emotionally, be [tactically] sound and do the right thing that we have to do in each moment to get away with the result that we want.

On whether he prefers playing after Manchester City…

That helps but it doesn’t matter, honestly. We have to focus on what we’re doing, there are still a lot of games to play and it’s going to be a long race.

On whether he can see himself having the same longevity as Klopp…

I think at a club like this, you have to earn the right to do that. He absolutely earned that right with the way that he transformed the club and especially with the performances and results that they had, and then how much they won. You can sustain yourself at this level only if you produce the results that are necessary to ensure it.

On whether he can use what happened last season as motivation…

There are similarities. Obviously, the context is different, the team and the players on the pitch are going to be very, very different as well. We will have to use it in a way that becomes positive for us, and gives us energy and belief that we can do it, and that’s what we’ll do.

On how difficult it is to leave one of his forwards out this weekend…

Well, it depends on the moment and what we want to do and the quality we are seeking and the relationships that we want on certain days. Then obviously you have five changes, so you have the ability to change the game with those players, which is great for us. It’s much better to have that problem because at the moment they are all looking really good.

On whether he will have a conversation with whoever he leaves out…

Normally with players that are very much in contention (we tell them) to understand why we did it or why we made that decision. So it’s clarity and when there is clarity, I think the emotional state of the player is much better to be ready for the club and the team that we are going to be facing on Sunday.

On whether something clicked the day Arsenal beat Liverpool this season…

That was a big day for us, a big result, especially the way we did it. We did it at the end after having a really good second half performance as well. It all adds up, it all helps and it all gives confidence to the team to go to a different level and have individual belief that they can win again against these types of teams.

On whether we have got over playing with fear against Liverpool…

First of all, it’s a different group, we are coming from a different position and what I see is enthusiasm and positivity. And something that you need to have and that is courage. Courage to play, courage to impose yourself on the game and be dominant. On Sunday we will try to be that team.

On whether a win on Sunday will move the club forward to stage four of five…

One result doesn’t get you there, unfortunately! We wish because then we could have been through many different phases this season. But it’s not that easy, it would be very helpful though!

On whether his altercation with Klopp riled the home crowd up…

Yes but after that, we had the best chance of the game. We could have gone 1-0 up then one minute later they have a wide free kick and score a goal. Who knows?

On whether everybody has to keep their cool on Sunday to get a result…

Yes, they know that. They have experienced that. They are aware of that, we know what we have to do, nothing different. We have had tough experiences. We went to White Hart Lane and did what the team did, and the atmosphere doesn’t get much harder than that.