Calafiori and Arteta looking to avoid playoffs with UCL win at Girona
28/01/2025
uefa24
28/01/2025
uefa24
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00:00OK, good evening all, hope everyone's well.
00:19Mikel isn't too far behind us, so we'll keep this fairly short.
00:23We'll take questions in both English and Spanish, and we'll start here with Simon, please.
00:29Hi.
00:30Hi.
00:32Just if we could start, obviously you had a great day on Saturday at Wolves,
00:38what did that goal mean to you?
00:40We saw a lot of emotion for you when you were celebrating your team-mates.
00:43Yeah, I was pretty emotional, and it meant a lot for me, but also for the team.
00:49I was so happy to give the team and to give us the victory, the three points,
00:54and it's a huge win, so I'm so happy.
00:57You've had great moments like that this season, a goal at Manchester City,
01:00but you've also had difficult moments where you've had injuries and setbacks.
01:04How difficult have those injuries been, and not being able to play as much as you'd have wanted to?
01:08Of course I would have liked to play every game, to be fit for all the games,
01:12but to be honest, most of the injuries that I had I couldn't control,
01:17because it was like heat or the knee, so I had just to keep on going.
01:23I hope and I think that I'll be fit until the end of the season to help the team.
01:28We've seen bits of you, but do you think Arsenal fans haven't quite seen the best of you,
01:32there's more to come for you in an Arsenal shirt?
01:34No, for sure I can do better, always, and I'll do it.
01:43Riccardo, the two goals you've scored have both been fantastic goals,
01:47were you a striker in a previous life, and what's the secret behind these amazing finishes?
01:53Not in a previous life, when I was a kid, I think like everyone I was a striker,
01:57and I liked to score many goals, then as soon as I arrived to my first professional team
02:04I started to play more in the back, but I think I haven't lost this feeling with the goal, I hope.
02:11And in training, with the finishing and the shooting, with the forwards,
02:15are you always getting involved with that, are you working on it?
02:18Not really, to be honest, even in training I'm not so good,
02:22but then when it comes to the game it's different, I don't know, the ball goes in the net.
02:29Hi Riccardo, obviously you've been playing this left-back role,
02:33which Mikel has a lot of needs for that position,
02:36how have you found that transition playing for Arsenal in a very specific left-back role?
02:44Actually it was my position throughout my career,
02:47only last season I played as a centre-back, but I still can do this position,
02:53and also the way we play with the left-back, with the right-back at Arsenal
02:57is completely different I would say from the classic position,
03:02so I think it's really good for my skills, for my qualities,
03:05and as I said before, I want to stay fit for the team.
03:11We've just learned that your team-mate Miles Lewis-Scaly will not face a three-match ban,
03:16was there a celebration between the players, learning that you'll have him available?
03:19I was not with them when we had the news, but for sure we're all happy,
03:24and we knew that was a mistake I think, and now we keep on going and I'm happy for him as well.
03:32Hi Riccardo, this week a lot of talk has been about stuff off the pitch,
03:37how has it impacted the squad, have you been speaking about it,
03:41and how do you ensure that you remain focused on the football rather than stuff outside of it?
03:46About the referee, we were upset, but at the end we won the game,
03:51and we are ready to play even in bad conditions as well,
03:56and now as I said before we are happier I think, and we have to be ready for everything.
04:03How mentally tough is this squad to be able to deal with things like that,
04:07and put it aside almost straight away and get your focus back, is it good about this squad?
04:13I think we have to be ready for everything, and we're going to make it for sure.
04:19And is this something that will make Myles stronger,
04:22it's quite a traumatic thing to go through as a young player,
04:25but now he's gone through it, do you think he'll be stronger for it?
04:27I think he's a strong guy mentally and also on the pitch,
04:31so nothing happened at the end for me.
04:37Hi Riccardo, what's it like to be involved in such big moments,
04:40like your goal against City, the goal against Wolves,
04:42you seem to step up when your team badly needs a goal or a big moment,
04:46what's that like to be able to step up to the plate?
04:49I don't know, I just try to give my best in every game,
04:54and if I keep on going like this I think it's even better,
04:58because this means that I'm so important for the team,
05:01so I'm just trying to play and to score even more goals,
05:06to help the team with my kind of play.
05:09There was a lot of excitement of course when you moved to Arsenal initially,
05:13what's it been like to adapt to Arsenal's style of play,
05:15and obviously playing for a huge club in the Premier League?
05:19I said it already so many times,
05:23it could have seemed difficult, but at the end it was not difficult,
05:27because all the environment, all the club, the people from the staff,
05:32everyone, the teammates helped me a lot,
05:34and it was actually easy for me to adapt to this new league.
05:39And positionally, do you see your future as a left-back,
05:42or could you maybe change in the back line and go further up the pitch?
05:46I think in this new era of football,
05:50the key is to be open and to be able to play in different positions,
05:58so it's a quality I think.
06:01Hi Ricardo, just throughout this whole season I think a lot has happened with Arsenal,
06:05from when you joined I think the pitch has changed so much,
06:09how have you experienced this yet,
06:11has it been anything like you've experienced before when you were at your former clubs?
06:15About what, sorry?
06:16So, with all the different scenarios the team has had to face,
06:20with injuries, suspensions, it's felt like a lot from the outside,
06:24but how have you felt coping with all of that this season?
06:27It was a lot to be honest, but I don't know,
06:32I can tell that every person in the club is trying to help us and me,
06:39so we feel really like a big squad, a big family,
06:44and we can make it through everything.
06:48And I know a lot of people talk about your positions,
06:50but on a human level, how do you feel you've settled into London,
06:54obviously still a very young guy,
06:56but how have you felt with that side of things?
06:59Except for the weather, the rest is amazing.
07:03And I really enjoy being part of this team and I want to improve a lot,
07:09this was the main reason why I came here, so I'm on the right way I think.
07:13OK, we have time for one question in Spanish, if there are any.
07:17Yeah, just over here.
07:20Microphone.
07:26Spanish.
07:28Good afternoon, Sebastián Murcia for La Popular Sport.
07:31I wanted to ask you about Miquel Merino, the talented Spanish player,
07:35now that he's back, how do you see him
07:38and what do you think Miquel brings to this approach you have in Arsenal?
07:43For me, first of all, he's a great friend of mine,
07:48and we always talk in the dressing room, on the pitch,
07:52and he helps me and I try to help him as well.
07:55He's a great player and he wants to win games,
08:01and I think that's very important for us, and he has to keep doing that.
08:08Thank you very much, everyone.
08:25Ah, yes.
08:26I remember, but I'll say it like this.
08:56Hi, Miquel.
08:57Hello.
08:58We've just seen the news from the FA that Marsluis Skelly's ban has been removed,
09:01what's your reaction to that?
09:03Yeah, obviously very happy that that decision has been made,
09:08and Amai is going to be able to play for us again in the next few games.
09:12It's been quite an eventful few days, off the pitch and lots of talk and lots of emotion,
09:17including quite a lot of unfriendly stuff towards Michael Oliver, the referee.
09:22What's your view on that and how that's all panned out?
09:25The same, every time I talk about that topic, regardless of whether he's a player,
09:29he's a coach, he's a referee, it doesn't matter.
09:32We have to really work harder to try to eradicate that part of the game
09:37that brings nothing but bad stuff, bad taste, and it makes people's lives more difficult.
09:44So, let's get it out, let's kick it out.
09:47Is that your message to any Arsenal fans who are upset or angry with themselves?
09:51Yeah, for everybody in football.
09:52I think it should not be permitted, we don't want it, we don't need it,
09:57and it's certainly damaged our sport, so let's get it out.
10:05Hi, Mikel.
10:06Just in terms of the squad and going into this game,
10:10obviously you'll basically have that top-eight position secured.
10:13I think we saw last year when you were in PSV, you still went with a strong team.
10:18Is that your desire again, or is there an idea to try and mass-rotate with City at the weekend?
10:24Yeah, we're here to win the game, and in order to do that we're going to have to be better than them,
10:29they're on a really good side, if you look at every game they play in the Champions League,
10:32against top opposition, they have made life very, very difficult for them.
10:36So, tomorrow we play a very strong team,
10:40and in order to achieve what we want to do, which is mathematically qualifying in the best stop,
10:46which at the moment is uncertain.
10:48And can I just ask one on the transfer window?
10:50We've spoken to you a lot about a forward and a striker,
10:53if that can't be done, is there a desire for you to maybe bring someone else in a different position,
10:59a midfielder, I know you've spoken about in the past maximising a window,
11:02is that something you consider, if you can't get a forward, maybe we try and improve the squad elsewhere?
11:07Well, there are situations open, and I always say the same,
11:11that if we can improve the squad with players that can impact us for now or for the future,
11:16we will try to do that, if it's the best thing for the club, and I stand on that.
11:21Tom from London.
11:23Hi, Mikel. Just a quick one, a follow-up on Myles,
11:25has that changed the way you've looked at perhaps the selection for tomorrow's game,
11:28knowing that now you've got Myles to use at the weekend,
11:31does that change the way you look at maybe his selection tomorrow?
11:34Well, it does affect, yes, because obviously we had a lot of uncertainty,
11:37not only for Sunday, or for tomorrow, but for the next few games as well,
11:41so now we have more options, he's going to be available,
11:44and it's something very positive for the team.
11:46And of course you've got quite a few Spanish players coming back to play here as well,
11:49Mikel Moreno being one who signed in the summer, has been out with a few injuries,
11:54how has he dealt with those challenges of having to join a new club,
11:57but also be out for so much of the season?
12:00It's been quite unfortunate, to be honest, but Mikel's character is unbelievable,
12:05he's so determined to have some rhythm now, some momentum,
12:10he had very good moments, especially in the last few weeks with us,
12:13and unfortunately he had a little niggle, it wasn't nothing serious,
12:16but we're playing every two and a half days, so you miss two matches.
12:20He's fit again, he's available, and it's great to have him on the team.
12:23Jorge, another question?
12:24Hi, Mikel, just how is Myles, it's been a real crazy few days,
12:29his emotions must have been going up and down,
12:31I know he probably took it quite badly when he got sent off, so how's he been?
12:35He was sleeping on the plane when I looked back and I got the news,
12:38so I haven't spoken to him, but I imagine a big smile on his face.
12:42Did you not wake him up when you got the news?
12:44No, I was working and he was in the back row, so I didn't.
12:48And just on the abuse towards officials and Mikel Oliver is very serious,
12:54I know you say about eradicating it, but how...
12:56I know you're not the one to answer this, but how do we go about doing it?
13:00Because it seems to be becoming more and more of a problem,
13:02especially with social media and attacking people.
13:06First of all, spending more time making the right decisions with the right people
13:10to get it out, and then putting, yeah, like the same we have put in laws
13:15and measurements and regulations and that kind of thing,
13:18let's do that while we haven't done it, you know?
13:20We are all talking about it, but no-one seems to be moving strongly enough
13:24and bringing people with him to get that out of the game,
13:28because it's just unacceptable.
13:32Hi, Mikel, on the appeal, what does it show, the fact that just hours after you submitted it,
13:36you've won basically?
13:38The quick turnaround, what does that show, in a way?
13:41I don't know, obviously I'm not an expert on the field,
13:44obviously the club has put all the evidence and everything they could put together
13:49to defend our position, and it was pretty fast,
13:52so good to know today basically that's helpful, so thank you.
13:57In terms of playing away in the Champions League,
13:59you guys have obviously played really well,
14:01the 5-1 win against Sporting Lisbon probably a highlight this season.
14:05Compared to last season, what's the difference?
14:07Because there were some games, for example, against London last season away,
14:10where you guys seemed a bit rattled away from home,
14:12but there's been a big shift, what's that down to?
14:15Well, we're more consistent and I think we've been better, as you said.
14:19Understanding that it's extremely difficult to win and overplay opposition in the Champions League,
14:25and tomorrow we're going to face a very good opposition
14:27and we're going to have to be very good to beat them.
14:31Hi, Mikel, just in terms of that in the Champions League,
14:34when you look forward to the knockout stages, I know it's not fully 100 per cent yet,
14:38but with the preparation, do you feel like the away performances
14:42are probably what you're looking at more than the home ones,
14:44in terms of wanting to improve from last year?
14:47Yeah, both, and every game, every scenario, every context is going to be different,
14:52and it's coming here, when we need something from the game today,
14:57we're here to win, and from the first minute we have that attitude
15:02and that determination to go for the game and hopefully deliver what we want.
15:06And can I just ask about Kaya, because it seems like he's been going through so much work
15:11in the last few weeks, in terms of just having to do a lot of running in the games,
15:15how's he, and would this be a nice opportunity to give him a little bit of a rest?
15:20Yeah, we have a lot of players with a lot of load, he's not an exception, obviously,
15:26but his work, his desire, the way he trained today,
15:29it's just telling you that he wants to play again tomorrow, you know?
15:32And some players, when they are in the rhythm, they want to continue to do that,
15:36because they feel better like this, so, that's it.
15:39OK, Steve?
15:40Mikkel, there's a contradiction at the heart of the new Champions League format,
15:43which is to play two more games, because everyone wants two more games,
15:47but the reward for doing well is to have two less games.
15:50What are you thinking about, in terms of that period,
15:53if you don't have those two games because you finish the top eight,
15:56how are you going to use that spell?
15:57Is that an opportunity maybe to give the players a break,
16:00or maybe to work on some of the stuff that you haven't been able to work on
16:03because of the rhythm of the games?
16:04How do you plan to use that gap if indeed you end up getting it?
16:07We've got already a few ideas, we still have to earn the right to do what we ideally want,
16:15and yes, we will certainly use it for the two right reasons that you already mentioned.
16:23Pierre, time's up.
16:24Hi, Mikkel, you know Girona quite well from your past in the area
16:29and from the links with Manchester City, which has been very beneficial for them.
16:33What do you think of the multi-club arrangement, the multi-club model,
16:38and would you worry that it might distort the market if you were, say,
16:43an info player that Girona were interested in,
16:45Girona could say, well, this could be a route to Manchester City?
16:50I can respond to any question related to a coach, or performance, or the opposition,
16:54but about those topics I prefer not to talk about it.
16:58OK, guys, we now get some questions in Spanish.
17:01Hi, Mikkel, Jorge Agüero for Radio Nacional de España.
17:04Sixth season ahead of Arsenal, second in LaLiga, third in the Champions League,
17:10we have to consolidate the eight-man ticket tomorrow,
17:12but what they say in Spain is that this year it's Arsenal's that can be dreamed of.
17:16I don't know, what do you think, if we can, let's say, start like this?
17:21Dream, excitement, desire, work, we're going to give it our all.
17:26We've been very close to the big titles for two years now,
17:29and it's time to take a step forward.
17:31What happens is that that step is the most complicated thing in football,
17:34probably to do, but I think the team is very consistent
17:38in terms of performance and play,
17:40and, well, tomorrow we'll win the pass, and we'll see what comes next.
17:45Hi, Mikkel.
17:46Hi.
17:47I don't know if you still remember Catalan.
17:49Yes, yes.
17:50Yes? OK, perfect.
17:51I want to ask you, what Girona are you expecting tomorrow?
17:54Because Girona are out, they don't have a left-back, Creixi, Blind, Bryan.
17:58I don't know what Girona you're expecting,
18:00and if you think that the Liverpool game a few days ago
18:02could be a precedent that you might have.
18:05Yes, I've seen them all, from the group stage.
18:08First, because they're a coach and a team that I really like to watch,
18:12and that I learn things from, and second, because I need to know them well,
18:16and I think it's a team that has been tremendously competitive against big rivals,
18:20that, by details, has not had the results that it probably deserved,
18:24and I'm sure, because it's the last game here,
18:26and because of everything they've managed to achieve so far,
18:28I'm sure they want to finish it well, and they're going to play a very difficult game.
18:32And now you were talking about Michael Oliver and the problems with the criticisms and abuses
18:36he's received after the last decisions.
18:38Today, Valde, who was dedicated to Getafe,
18:42also talked about the abuses he's received from footballers and referees.
18:46Before, you spoke in English, but I don't know if you could summarize it in Spanish.
18:50What should be done so that not everyone who goes to football thinks
18:53that they have the right to do and say everything, via social media, etc.?
18:56We're always putting a lot of emphasis on the evolution of football,
19:01and where football is going in the next five, ten years, the rules, all this.
19:05And I think that one of the greatest evolutions that we can have in football
19:08is to create an environment, on a social level, that is much better,
19:12that is healthier, that is more beautiful,
19:14that other things are rewarded that are not by winning,
19:17that when someone makes a mistake, they are given the opportunity to rectify it,
19:20and that, I don't know, that we don't have to be living with this hatred and these things,
19:26because they affect everyone.
19:28And in the end, they take away the charm of this sport,
19:30which is having fun and having beautiful moments,
19:33and, in the end, that's what it's all about.
19:37Hi, Miquel, I'm Marc Brugués from the Diario de Girona.
19:39Welcome, Don Guiatorri.
19:41Do you remember your first time in Montilivi, Girona, in the summer of 1999?
19:46It was a friendly, a tournament that was played here.
19:49And, in that sense, how have you seen the growth of Girona as a club,
19:53especially in recent years?
19:56I didn't remember that date, so thank you for reminding me.
19:59And, well, I think it's a beautiful story.
20:02I think that what they've done in such a short time,
20:05and, above all, the way they've achieved it,
20:08and what they've transmitted,
20:09I think they've made a lot of people fall in love with football,
20:11they've made a lot of clubs grow,
20:12and a lot of people, in a certain way,
20:14with a vision and an ambition,
20:16can do great things.
20:18So I congratulate them, because I think they've done a lot of merit.
20:22Okay, we'll take the last two questions first from the gentleman here.
20:25Let's focus on Josep Coc, from TV3.
20:31I don't know if you expect a more dangerous Girona,
20:34because it doesn't have any kind of pressure,
20:37and because it wants to close this love story with the Champions League tomorrow,
20:41with this last game, in front of a team like yours,
20:44with the potential you have.
20:45Do you think it will be more dangerous for it to play without this pressure?
20:49It could be, it could be a factor.
20:51Obviously, it's the last one,
20:53and everyone will stay with it,
20:55and I'm sure they want to finish it in the best way possible,
20:58just like we did.
21:01Miguel, good evening.
21:02Sebastián Murcia for Popular Sport,
21:04following in the same line as the gentleman.
21:06What opinion did you generate about this Girona,
21:10which made a magnificent league last season,
21:12and as a reward for this, it was able to leave in Europe?
21:16What I said before,
21:17with all the merit in the world,
21:18he did it in a way that made a lot of people follow the team,
21:25not only because of the results,
21:27but also because of the way he played,
21:29and they were lucky enough to enjoy it,
21:33because they won it.
21:35Okay, thanks very much.