Mikel Arteta on competing against the best teams in the world in the Premier League
18/04/2025
Sobha Realty Training Ground, London, UK
18/04/2025
Sobha Realty Training Ground, London, UK
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SportsTranscript
00:00When you're at the season, how have you done it?
00:02So obviously last season you returned after six years back to the Champions League
00:06and just within two seasons you're now in the semi-finals for this competition.
00:11What's been the processes behind the scenes as to getting your team ready to compete in this competition
00:17and also performing away from home?
00:19Because in the away legs you've put some serious goal ties against really good opposition.
00:24So how have you done that?
00:26Probably the work, the daily work that the players put in and they believe that we generated the fact that
00:34in our league we compete against the best teams in the world every single week.
00:38So that's the best preparation for Europe I think.
00:41So sometimes when we think if we go to Europe now are we able to do it in Europe?
00:46And I keep telling them, you've done it three days ago against one of the best teams in Europe away.
00:51So don't think out of them. They have to be thinking can they do it against the teams in the Premier League?
00:55And playing with that belief that guys you are exposed, highly exposed every single week here in this league.
01:01So we have the tools, we have the experience and the resources to outplay and outcome any situation.
01:07And then yeah, after you have to do it.
01:09How about with the particular aspects of the away lads in Europe?
01:12Because obviously as we saw in Verdevar, the atmosphere there was crazy. How did you navigate that?
01:17I think they've been quite different. Certain games against the sport team we started really well.
01:22We were very dominant. We were ruthless in the box straight away and all the chances that we had.
01:27And that gives you a platform. And in Madrid it was different. The first 15-20 minutes were trickier.
01:32They generated some momentum. We had a penalty, missed it. But I think emotionally the team has dealt with very different circumstances very well.
01:41And with Andrea, because of his connection to Atlético, how happy was he to get one over?
01:48Well, especially because when you're going to a new club in the middle of the season, everything is new.
01:53I think he hopes that everything goes well and stays well and I'm part of it.
01:59He was really happy, obviously. He's a really ambitious. He's a winner and he was really happy.
02:06Jack?
02:07What you were just saying about the level of talent your players face in the Premier League every week and taking that to you.
02:13Do you find it bizarre or a bit surprising that you're the only Premier League team in this time?
02:18Well, at the end the margins are so small. Look at Villa.
02:21At the end they could have been through and any other night they could have done it.
02:26But, yeah, I think the level when you come to that stage between teams is not a big difference.
02:33But some there is an individual performance, a detail that dictates the time.
02:37Is there anything you have done this week to take the players back in on it?
02:40Is there anything you need to do, do you think, or does it just happen now?
02:44Yeah, it's on the page now. This week it's the Premier League.
02:47We have two very important games ahead of us to continue to give us momentum
02:52and put it in the place that we have in throughout the last nine months.
02:57And we have to be so committed and focused on that now.
03:01It's been mentioned that the title could be won for this weekend depending on the result.
03:05It will happen in the next couple of weeks.
03:07Given the circumstances you've had all season, injuries and suspensions,
03:11do you and your players feel there's anything more you could have done to challenge them?
03:15For sure there will be things that we could have done.
03:19I mean, if not you would have won every game regardless of any injuries, any situation,
03:23any red cards, any reference decision.
03:25But it's what it is.
03:27We will make an analysis of what we've done well and not that well at the end of the season.
03:32But probably the question would be, you would have asked me in August,
03:38all these things are going to happen to your team.
03:42Where do you see your team finishing?
03:44Probably that would be the right answer.
03:47Gary?
03:49Can I ask you, Mika?
03:51What do you think you need to do to evolve to become a team
03:54that can compete with all the four trophies right up until the end?
03:59Last year you had the league until the end.
04:01This year you got the Champions League but not the league.
04:04What do you think you need to evolve to be that team like City
04:09that could do all four and cope with all four?
04:12Squad quality and availability.
04:14Without those two, you cannot compete in full competition.
04:18At this level, especially in this country, it's impossible.
04:21Is that depth of squad or core?
04:25Both, both.
04:26The quality, the higher the quality, the higher the availability,
04:29the more chances, probability you have.
04:31After you have to do it but the probability goes high.
04:34When you look at the win over Madrid,
04:38there will be players you will be going for this summer
04:40who will be thinking about Arsenal and they have other offers.
04:44Do you think that type of win can tilt the decision of a player
04:48in your favour to come to Arsenal as opposed to going to someone else
04:52where they're not sure about whether they want to go there?
04:54Maybe there is another factor.
04:58But I think we are very lucky because we are a football club
05:01that every time I've spoken to players they want to be part of it.
05:04So, yeah, that's something that probably can generate more enthusiasm,
05:09more belief and the fact that, OK, I want to be part of these nights now
05:14because the club is in a good place.
05:16But I think overall we are already so strong that we can attract any player.
05:29Again, I'm sorry, sorry.