Following our 4-2 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion, Mikel Arteta undertook his post-match media duties at the Amex Stadium.
He tackled questions including Martin Odegaard's recent performances, managing the final stages of the game and moving seven points clear at the top of the table.
Read everything he had to say below:
on the win...
It's a big win, I'm really happy! It's a really tough place to come, they're a really good side. They are extremely well-coached and they made it tough for us and we made it tough for them as well. I think we were excellent in attacking phases, especially when we had the space and the way they defend they were very open, and we made the most out of it.
Then we had moments we discussed before where we were going to suffer and defend deeper. There were moments where we should've done better and put ourselves in trouble but that's the learning part and every game is a huge test.
on Martin Odegaard...
He is doing what we want him to do - to decide football matches and work really hard and deliver to the team what he needs in these moments which is different. The four front players scored again today; that is great news. Eddie scoring again, Bukayo, Martinelli and in crucial moments as well. That's what we want, those players deciding football matches when the team needs it and that's what they're doing.
on being seven points clear...
I don't know, it's still a long, long run to go. My excitement comes when I go in the dressing room and the players are talking about what they should've done better today. That means they know that we still can play better, be better and against Newcastle we will have to be better.
on Brighton almost making it 3-4...
I've seen it all in this league! I've been in this country for 20 years, so I've seen it. I can expect that the momentum shifts very quickly and it's really difficult to stop it. Obviously, the goal got disallowed and we had much more room to win the game. You have to be prepared for that. You don't come to this place with this team and get a comfortable win. It doesn't happen.
on calming the players down...
It's understanding what the team needs in every moment. It was an emotional stage of the game there. They're understanding that better and better and they are free-flowing at the moment. You can see that there is good understanding, there is good timing between them and they're scoring goals, which is really important to the team.
on how they managed the game after the first break...
It's how do you react now, and when are they going to apply pressure, mentally how you cope with those moments. The team is getting more and more mature and that was a big test today.
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