Every word from Mikel Arteta's pre-Girona press conference
01/28/2025 03:21 PM
In his pre-Girona press conference, Mikel Arteta reacted to the news that Arsenal had successfully appealed against Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card against Wolves.
The manager also touched on how the full-back’s availability could affect his selection plans for upcoming matches, as well as answering questions about the abuse levelled at referee Michael Oliver and his thoughts on tomorrow’s opponents.
On his reaction to Myles Lewis-Skelly's red card being rescinded…
Yeah, obviously very happy that that decision has been made and Myles is going to be able to play for us again in the next few games.
On the abuse levelled at Michael Oliver and what he thinks about it…
The same. Every time I talked about that topic, regardless of whether it’s a player, it’s a coach, it’s a referee, it doesn’t matter. We have to really work harder to try to eradicate that part of the game that brings nothing but bad stuff, bad taste and it makes people’s lives more difficult. So let’s get it out. Let’s kick it out.
On whether that's his message to upset Arsenal fans…
Yeah, for everybody in football. I think it should not be permitted we don’t want it, we don’t need it and it certainly damages our sport. So let’s get it out.
On whether he'll go with a strong team or rotate heavily with one eye on City at the weekend…
We’re here to win the game. In order to do that, we’re going to have to be better than them. They’re on a really good side. If you look at every game that they played in the Champions League against top opposition, they have made life very, very difficult for them. So tomorrow we play a very strong team and in order to achieve what we want to do, which is mathematically qualifying in the best position, which at the moment is uncertain.
On whether Arsenal could recruit in midfield if they can't find a striker during this window…
Well, there are situations open and I always say the same, that if we can improve the squad with players that can impact us for now, for the future, we will try to do that if it’s the best thing for the club. I stand by that.
On whether his team selection plans are affected by Myles now being available in the league…
Well, it does affect [things], yes, because obviously we had a lot of uncertainty. Not only for Sunday or for tomorrow, but for the next few games as well. So now we have more options. He's going to be available and it’s something very positive for the team.
On Mikel Merino adapting to England and his injury issues…
He's been quite unfortunate, to be honest, but Mikel’s character is unbelievable. He’s so determined to have some rhythm now, some momentum. He had very good moments, especially in the last few weeks with us. And unfortunately, he had a little niggle, it wasn’t anything serious, but we’re playing every two and a half days. So you miss two matches. He's fit again, he's available and it's great to have him in the team.
On how Myles has coped with the last few days…
He was sleeping on the plane when I look bad and I got the news. So I haven’t spoken to him, but I imagine he has a big smile on his face.
On whether he woke up Myles to tell him the news…
No, I was working and he was in the back row, so I didn’t.
On how football eradicates its abuse issues, particularly on social media…
First of all, spending more time making the right decisions with the right people to get it out. And then putting in, like the same we have put in laws and measurements and regulation and that kind of thing. They do that, why haven't we done it? We are all talking about it, but no one seems to be moving strongly enough and bringing people with him to get that out of the game because it’s just unacceptable.
On whether the quick result of Lewis-Skelly's appeal means anything…
I don’t know. Obviously, I’m not an expert in the field. Obviously, the club has put all the evidence and everything they could put together to defend our position. And it was pretty fast. So good to know today, basically, that’s helpful. So thank you.
On Arsenal's away form in the Champions League this season being an improvement on last year…
Well, we’re more consistent and I think we’ve been better, as you said. Understanding that it’s extremely difficult to win and overplay opposition in the Champions League. And tomorrow we’re going to face a very good opposition and we’re going to have to be very good to beat them.
On whether he's looking at the away rather than home performances as more of a marker of his side's improvement in the competition…
Yeah, both. And every game, every scenario, every context is going to be different. And it’s coming here, when we need something from the game, that we’re here to win. And from the first minute, we have that attitude and that determination to go for the game and hopefully deliver what we want.
On how Kai Havertz is coping with a heavy workload in recent weeks…
Yeah, we have a lot of players with a lot of load. He’s not an exception, obviously, but his work, his desire, the way he trained today, it’s just telling you that he wants to play again tomorrow. And some players, when they are in the rhythm, they want to continue to do that because they feel better like this. So that’s it.
On how Arsenal might make use of their spare time if they avoid the knockout play-off double-header and whether it includes giving the players a break and working on next tactics…
We’ve got already a few ideas. We still have to earn the right to do what we ideally want. And yes, we will certainly use it for the two right reasons that you already mentioned.
On Girona being part of City Group and what he makes of the multi-club model and whether such links distort the transfer market…
I can respond to any question related to a coach or performance or the opposition, but about those topics, I prefer not to talk about it.
On people in Spain saying this should be Arsenal's year to dream…
Well, dreaming, excitement, effort. We are going to put everything. We’ve been very close to big titles in the last few years. So it’s a time to take a step forward. But it’s very difficult in football. But we are very consistent as a team when it comes to performance and to play. And tomorrow, we must earn our qualification. Then we’ll see what comes next.
On what sort of Girona he's expecting tomorrow given they are already out of the Champions League…
I watched all their games in the group stage. I love the team. I love the coach. And I learned from them. And secondly, I need to know them very well. I think this was a team that was tremendously competitive against the big names. And just due to small details, they didn’t earn the results they deserved. And secondly, this is the last game. And this is a huge achievement to be here. I’m sure they want to end on a good note tomorrow.
On people feeling like they are entitled to throw abuse around when watching football…
We focus on the evolution of football and where football is heading in the next five years, for example, and rules and regulations. I think one of the biggest evolutions we can have in football is to create a social environment that is much better, that is healthier, more beautiful, where you reward other stuff other than winning, that you can rectify when you make mistakes, and that we don’t need to keep this hatred as this affects everyone. And it removes the beauty of the sport, and that is having fun and having fun together.
On whether he remembers his first game against Girona in 1999, a friendly match and what he thinks of the club…
Well, I didn’t remember that. Thank you. Thank you for reminding me of this. I think this is a beautiful story. I think what they’ve done in such a short time is beautiful, especially in the way they’ve done it. And when they transmit, they made many people fall in love with football, many clubs, with a certain playing style, and showing that you can do big things with a vision. So congratulations to them.
On whether Girona could be more dangerous with no pressure on them…
Yes, it could be. This could be a factor. It’s the last match, and everyone will remember this. And they want to finish very well, like we do.
On what he thinks of Girona…
What I said before, they deserve all the credit. Also, they play in a way that many people want to follow them, not just for the results, but for the football style. And they were lucky enough to enjoy this team and this competition, as they earned it.
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