Press conference

‘It looked impossible, win now and we’re closer’

We may still be outsiders to seal Champions League football next season, but Mikel Arteta says it no longer looks "impossible".



Our head coach discussed our hopes of finishing in the top five, and his relationship with his former boss at Everton, David Moyes.



This is what he told the media:



on how many points he thinks it will take to get into the top five...

Beat West Ham on Saturday and we are closer. That's all I am thinking because a few weeks ago it looked impossible and if we beat West Ham it will look more likely. So that's the only aim. If game-by-game we go and start grabbing three points and three points and three points, and then we'll have a chance in the last three or four games of the season.

on David Moyes...

The thing that I admire the person, who he is, his values, how he deals with people, who he is, how he treats people, how he treated the players when they were there. How well he deals with creating a culture around a club, a chemistry between the players and a belief that we could do something as a team. And then he works really hard. He is extremely demanding, he's got character, Scottish character that is impulsive and I really enjoyed my time playing under him. I think he had a lot, obviously the Manchester United situation, I think what happened there was very harsh on him. I know how he is as a manager and my opinion hasn’t changed at all.



on whether has he spoken with Moyes...

I spoke with him a few times, he has always been very supportive. He has a great belief in me and we maintain a really good relationship. Absolutely yes.