Mikel Arteta was a happy man after we beat AFC Wimbledon 3-0 to advance to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Read on for a full transcript of his post-match press conference:
on needing to work hard for that…
As long as we were 1-0 up, they were obviously still in the game and any situation like a set-piece, you can concede a goal, so we knew that we had to close the game down. We did that at the end and it looked comfortable, but it was always a tough game.
on if it was the plan for Partey to play an hour…
Yes it was. He hasn’t played a lot of minutes since he’s been injured. We believe the rhythm of matches is nothing like any training session. I think it was very beneficial for him.
on if it was a risk to play him against AFC Wimbledon…
We didn’t think so and that’s why we made the decision to play him - but it’s always a risk when you play a match or have a training session at the intensity that we train. We believe it was the right thing to do and he was really pushing for it, so I think it worked out well.
on Saka looking lively - and if he’s getting back to his best now…
He finished the game against Burnley much better than he did the week before. Again, he was seeking minutes - he wanted to play some minutes to get some match fitness. Again, I think when he came on, he looked really strong.
on how many changes he expects to make on Sunday…
I don’t know - I will review the game and you will see how many changes we make on Sunday.
on the crowd and the players treating the match seriously - and Laca’s big celebration…
The approach is to perform and win every single match - that has to be the aim of this football club. To have 50,000 fans in the Carabao Cup on a Wednesday night is pretty special and it doesn’t happen in many places. The players notice that and obviously that raises the level of demands. They made the night more special.
on Lacazette’s performance…
He was captain because he’s one of our leaders and senior players. We haven’t been able to play him a lot. Last week I wanted to play him but we had some injuries through the game and we couldn’t use him. Today he scored a goal and he worked hard again.
on how impressed he's been by Nketiah...
I think Eddie gives us a lesson every day in his professional should live in this job. There's been a lot of speculation around him, a lot of debate but he's got his head down and trained harder than anyone else, he looks after himself and he supports all his team-mates in any circumstance. So I am so happy for him, and it's no coincidence that he's able to perform at that level and physically how he manages the game, because he trains the best every day, so I am delighted for him.
on how close Charlie Patino was to being in the squad...
He was very close, but we decided as well that some players needed minutes and it will happen naturally in time.
on how impressed he's been with Patino...
Charlie has been good, he's trained more and more with us and played a practice game at Colney and he was really good. Again, give him time and we will prepare him.
on the mood feeling more positive now...
Absolutely, but winning football matches is what brings that connection and belief, and fans happier. They are here to support the team and they want to see the team winning. It is a natural thing. They have always been with the team and now they are at a different level, and we need them at an even higher level on Sunday because we're going to need them and hopefully we can enjoy a beautiful day together.
on getting Leeds in the next round...
I just found out, we have experience of that one, we know how tough it will be. Big match.
on the momentum going into the north London derby...
It's really important because confidence raises competition and brings the best out of you, when you have difficult moments. Now the boys have won three matches in a row so credit for how they have handled that situation and now they are really looking forward to playing on Sunday, which is the biggest day of the season for us so far at home.
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