Press conference

‘It was a big message... they showed spirit’

Arteta

A resolute defensive display was the backbone of a fine win over Chelsea, that just about keeps alive our hopes of European football next season.



Savouring our first league win at Stamford Bridge since 2011, Mikel Arteta was happy with the reaction the players gave after a difficult few weeks, and praised the spirit the side showed in recording the 1-0 victory.



Here's every word from his virtual press conference:



on the performance and result…

Yes, it's been ten years I think since we won here so I think it's a really important result for the club, for our fans and also for our players, because I think they showed how much they mean it. (They showed) the spirit and the attitude that they have among the group and how much they care about it.



on whether the players gave a reaction…

Probably for the outside world it was, but they don't have to show anything to  me because I see them every day, how they prepare, how professional they are, and how much they try. But probably from the outside, yes, it was a big message.



on whether we can get a European place…

Well it's mathematically possible, we keep saying that, so we have to give ourselves the best chance in the last games to see if that's achievable.



on whether planning for next season has already started…

What we are trying to do is to prepare the best possible way to win every game, with the players that we have, with the amount of games that they have played and how much they are trying. Next season will be a different season, we have to focus on trying to do our best now because it will have an impact on next season.