Interview

What Arteta liked most about our performance

Mikel Arteta knows all about our pedigree in the Emirates FA Cup and he couldn't hide his delight after we booked another trip to Wembley.

Our head coach got his hands on the trophy in 2014 and 2015 as a player, and will now take charge for a semi-final in the middle of July.

It took an almighty effort to see off Sheffield United on Sunday, and Arteta liked what he saw.

"I think the players deserved the win with the way they fought today, their attitude and, for some moments, the way we played as well," he told Arsenal Digital.

"We know how difficult it is to win here. After the equaliser, the reaction... I really like it from the team so I'm really pleased today.

"I never fault the effort of the players. I think the way they are applying themselves is superb. You have to only see our front players, how they go to the pressing for every single ball. I'm really happy with that.

"We are back at Wembley, the history of this football club with this competition... it's going to be very different [with no fans] but it's still a great occasion to play a semi-final and we are delighted to go through."

In the immediate future is a return to home soil for our first game at Emirates Stadium since the restart. And Arteta is glad the team have given our fans something to smile about ahead of the visit of Norwich.

"Hopefully, yes! We've been missing them [the fans] so much. On Wednesday, our first home game after the COVID-19... we're going to miss them so much.

"We need their energy, these players need a little bit of a lift as well because we played four away games in 12 days, which is not an easy thing to do. It's what it is and that's the context at the moment.

"It's going to be strange but I had a little bit of experience when we played Brentford and Charlton at home. It was weird, again. We are missing our fans so much and hopefully when they are back, we can give them what they deserve."

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