Every word from Arteta's pre-Brentford presser

After an impromptu two-week pause from the Premier League, we are back in action against Brentford on Sunday. 

Our manager Mikel Arteta spoke to the media ahead of the match.

On winning the Manager of the Month award...

Yeah, it's great. I think it's a sign that the team is performing well, the team is winning football matches and it's a consequence of that. Thank you to all the people that are involved at the club that contribute to us on a daily basis, who make our job easier and possible, and obviously to the players, who are the ones on the field making a difference and helping us win the games. And to our supporters, thank you very much.

On whether the Manager of the Month award is a reflection of good recruitment…

It's a reflection of everything and you can have those things and then you can lose football matches and then you're not going to get this award. At the end of the day, it's about being consistent and trying to get all the right decisions every single day. Then you have to put them into practice as much as possible in football games, which at the end of the day, decide the momentum of a club.

On the passing of Queen Elizabeth II…

I think it's phenomenal what the country has done. I think it shows the level of respect and admiration and the legacy that the Queen has left in the life of so many and I think it was very emotional and coming from a different country and culture, to see that reaction was pretty special. I think it says a lot about who she was and what is left behind her.

On being concerned about a loss of momentum…

What happened obviously happened for a really important reason and we are always available to play, but there are police, there are authorities and other people who have to make the right decision. The decision was made and we have adapted our schedule to be as competitive as possible for Sunday, like any other team.

On being relieved the Brentford game wasn’t called off…

We need to play and we want to play games. When you look at the schedule after the World Cup especially or at what we have to go through in October, we need to play the games because if not, it's just impossible.

On facing Brentford...

Well, I think they are a really good side. I think what Thomas and the staff have done there, not only this year but over the years – I think is remarkable. The way they have performed and the results they got against the top clubs as well, especially at home, just sets the tone and what is going to happen on Sunday and we are very aware of how difficult it's going to be to beat them.

On Thomas Frank…

I think he's done an incredible job with himself and the coaching staff. The club, the clarity, the philosophy and the vision that they had and how they have executed it, how they're constantly evolving... I think they deserve a lot of praise for what they've done.

On the difference between this season and when we faced Brentford last season…

This is Arsenal Football Club, it's everybody's club and everybody's contributing the right way. Obviously, the context has changed, the environment has changed and we have to maintain it, as it is, for a long time.

On Ivan Toney’s career path…

I think it's a great story. This country has had stories like this in the last few seasons – the same with Jamie Vardy – and I think it is extraordinary. It means that again, the opportunities are open for everybody. That it is just about showing consistency showing quality and belief. It can happen at any age and isn’t something that is determined already. If you don't go through that phase in that period of life, you can still become a professional player, a top player, and an international player, so I think it's a great thing.

On whether he will motivate players using tweets like last season…

I haven’t written the script yet for that one, I’m sorry! If you have any ideas, just give them to me, I’ve run out of ideas!

On Ivan Toney’s tweet in particular…

Anybody can write whatever he wants and I’m here to judge if it’s necessary to use it in a way that I believe is most powerful.

On whether he would want his players to tweet like that…

I like my players to act in a certain way, and I’m happy with the way they act.

On team news for Sunday…

Unfortunately, updates will be tomorrow. Whoever will have to be ruled out, that is going to be tomorrow. We have those 24 hours to see. One or two can be considered tomorrow for training and for selection and that will be key in the next twenty-four hours.

On Emile Smith Rowe’s fitness…

It's been an ongoing issue that he's had. He's had some discomfort in the groin area, unfortunately. He hasn't had any continuity this season and it's something we are trying to assess and trying to help him as much as possible in any way that we can because we need him fit, we need him available and we need him performing at the best level, because he's such an important player for us. Unfortunately, for this period and for periods last year, we haven't had him.

On Zinchenko’s fitness…

Again we have to wait until tomorrow to make that decision, where he was on that moment and what we have decided to do for international week, doesn’t mean that we are going to say the same for the weekend, so it’s something we will address tomorrow.

On Ben White’s absence from the England squad…

He's played in both positions [centre-back and right-back], sometimes he's been selected, sometimes not. I think to have versatile players that can play at the level that Ben can in both positions at central defender and fullback, it's something that, in my opinion, any manager wants. Especially when you go to a tournament where a lot of things can happen. That's Gareth Southgate's decision and his coaching staff and what I can tell you is whenever Ben gets the call, he will be ready.

On picking players on form…

Gareth picks the best team, the best squad that he believes in for now. It doesn't mean that it's going to be the case in November. The squad that they have available is just incredible and everything that we can do to help Ben, we are trying to do so. And I think Ben is giving a lot of reasons to be selected.

On Ben White’s versatility…

When we are thinking about doing something to maximise the resources we have in the squad, to have some connection and other options to play the way we want to play, we have to have certainty that the player is happy to do so and that he feels capable to do that. If not, it is just a waste of time. So it has to go both ways, I have those discussions with Ben, he’s always been very open. I think he’s really enjoying playing in that position and that’s why he’s been doing so well. I think it’s great for him, at his age, to be involved in other positions. 

On whether Ben White is fit…

He’s fit.

On Gabriel Jesus not being in the Brazil squad…

I haven't [been given a reason why]. What I have to do is try to convince the players that they have to continue to do that, put their heads down, accept the decision that is made by the coach of the national team and give them even more reason if necessary that they have to be selected. That's the way the boys reacted and there's nothing else to comment on.

On Marquinhos’s performance against Zurich…

I was looking more at the faces of the rest of the staff and players. He’s very popular, with no English, just with his smile and attitude. He has earned the respect and admiration of everybody here. It was a big step for him because he hasn’t played enough minutes with us, but we were willing to give him the opportunity. I think he deserved it, I think he took it really well and he’s a player that needs to keep developing and in order to do that we need to give him opportunities.

On whether he is ready for the Premier League…

We want to build the steps and when we have asked him to play with the under-21s, he’s done incredibly well. His attitude toward every coach and player has been seen and it couldn't be any better. That’s what we expect from the players so that’s why he got his chance against Zurich and he might get another chance very soon.

On Tomiyasu’s versatility…

He can play central defender as well. Tomi has been playing left centre back for his national team, Japan. When you look at the games, he can play as a left-back, because you cannot tell me if he’s a left or right-footed player. So we have the options there, and we have to utilise them in the best possible way. Especially with the number of minutes we are going to have in the next few weeks, it’s great that players are comfortable doing more than one position.

On whether this weekend is an opportunity to open a gap…

We have to win our matches. Everybody's going to play the same amount. But again, obviously seeing the table and where we are and where we want to continue to be, it's always important emotionally and in terms of belief. I think it's helpful.

On Arsène Wenger returning to the club one day…

I would love that. I think he has explained it. I think he has every window and every door in this football club open whenever he is ready and whenever he feels is the right moment to do it. He knows that from my side and he knows that from many other people at the football club and hopefully that will happen soon, because I think that he will inspire and a lot of people are going to be so happy to see him.