Within an hour of the full-time whistle after our 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, Mikel Arteta was in front of the gathered media at the home of our neighbours to discuss the game.
He was fired plenty of questions by the journalists in attendance, including about the mood in the dressing room, moving eight points clear at the top and the difference between this and our last away trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Here is everything he had to say:
on the result:
I’m very happy for two reasons. One, because I saw a team with a lot of courage, determination and quality, and that really wanted it today, to come here and win the game. And the other one, because we have a job where we are really privileged that we can make a lot of people happy and when you have this opportunity, you have to try to do it. So the enjoyment of sharing the victory with the fans was a great feeling and then everything that we do, all the suffering, the hours of work, it makes a lot of sense when you have moments like this.
on how the players have reacted to the win:
It’s great, I’m going in the dressing room and just feeling the joy and the togetherness around the team and how much it meant for them. It’s special and we know that here because of the way we play, the way we behave, the way we are and the way we live together and the unity that we have. So we must not forget that, because tomorrow we must try to do exactly the same to carry on the form that we have at the moment.
on the incident with Aaron Ramsdale at the end:
I haven’t seen anything. What I’ve seen is a beautiful game of football.
on Aaron’s display:
Aaron had some great saves and I love that, because you need that to win here.
on Martin Odegaard’s performance:
Terrific. Especially in the first half, I think he was incredible. He’s really showing a different kind of presence, the way he’s influencing the game, just the feeling, the way he moves, what he transmits on the pitch is different and today to do what he’s done here, it’s a big credit to him.
on if he’s concerned by the incident with Aaron at the end:
We will deal with that. There’s nothing we can do right now. I don’t want that taking any of the enjoyment or satisfaction that we have at the moment, we will deal with that tomorrow.
on how Aaron is doing after the incident:
He’s fine, yes.
on if this victory is worth more than three points:
Psychologically and emotionally [yes]. This has a big emotional attachment because there is a big history between the two clubs and it means so much for us and our people to win this game.
on being eight points clear:
That is a great position to be in and let's enjoy every single moment and let's keep focusing.
on Mudryk going to Chelsea:
We have excellent players. We want to improve our squad in this transfer window and when I say we, myself, the coaching staff, the staff, the players, the board, and ownership. We are all in this together, but we will do the deals that we can do and that we believe is right for the football club.
on the difference between the game today and last year at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:
I think things change; players change obviously. The game was different whether we play with 11 players as well which is pretty important in football. That day was difficult, and we learnt some lessons. It brought the club even more together so was probably necessary to have the enjoyment we're having today.
on him pointing to his head during the game:
To have emotional control in these matches is extremely important and is something that we have discussed during the week. They are young but they start to believe more and more and start to have these experiences. There is nothing better as an experience than to come here and win, and play the way they played.
on shutting out the noise and getting the players to play:
The only thing we can do is try to play better and focus on the things we're doing well. The team is out there, and we don't see this in a grey way but there are a lot of things to improve. We know that, we are conscious of that, and we'll keep working the same way.
on the need to get over 90 points to win the league:
One hundred per cent yes, I do. I don't want to do too many calculations. It's how we are going to prepare for the game against Man United now, to get another three points and play well and deserve to win. You ask me about points but it's happened in the last four or five seasons so it will demand almost perfection.
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