Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard helped us beat Port Vale to reach the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, and Mikel Arteta addressed the press after our win at Vale Park.
Our number 10 opened the scoring after eight minutes before Leo came off the bench to add a second with five minutes to go.
Here’s everything Mikel said after the match at Vale Park:
On his summary of our performance:
Something that was discussed before the game, I think what was at stake in this game is your reputation as a club, as a team, as an individual. And we play these types of games, I’ve been here long enough to understand it’s going to be very tricky. I think we started the game really well, very dominant, scored a goal, have another three or four chances that we didn’t manage to score the goal.
And in the second half we lost a little bit of grip of the game, especially with the direct play, with all the throw-ins to the sidelines and winning territory and then again, and we lacked a bit of dominance and control. With a few adjustments, we got back to that, and we scored a beautiful goal, the second goal, the ball from Willy [Saliba] and the quality of Leo on the finish is top drawer. And in general, happy with the win, the clean sheet and the debut of Kepa for us today, Ebz’s goal, his first for the club and then the fact that even making nine changes, the team can still perform really well.
On if it was his intention to play Bukayo Saka for an hour:
No, it was planned – 60 minutes was the maximum. We had four, almost five players already in the line-up that we had to get him out for different reasons, especially for load and coming from long periods out, so, we planned for that. The good thing is that nobody got injured, so he has no muscular issues. So that’s a very positive thing again.
On the fact we can make lots of changes:
Yes, and what we need to do as well apart from that is generate the performances that we want with the players that haven’t really played together, with a completely different midfield that never played together before, with a frontline that is different as well, Max coming in as well and connecting immediately with the team. It’s a lot of positives to take from the game.
On the quality of the English Football Pyramid:
Unbelievable how tough it is. And when you look at last night, Liverpool and Chelsea and how long it took them to actually win the game, you know that you have to expect that if something different happens, great. But you know that you’re going to have to really earn the right to win games here.
On the competition ahead of this weekend’s game with Newcastle United:
And that’s exactly what we want, that they’re giving us and me those headaches, because I mean that they are so connected with the team that they really want to help the team and deserve to play. And everybody will play a lot of minutes.
On Ebere Eze’s performance:
He played very sensually against a team that’s obviously with a 5-4-1; they are super compact inside. It’s not easy to find spaces, but he’s very capable with the ball. You’ve seen that at another 3 or 4 actions that he’s completely through and people playing through. He needs to still to play more time a little more time with those guys to understand the timings, especially the things that he needs to do. And then actions like that will be more consistent and better for us. In general, very good – here is still a lot more to give, I think.
On if he’s one of our most versatile attackers:
Yes, probably yes. And at the end, what we want to do with him is to get him in positions, in spaces that he can create his magic moments and the difference in the team. And some that will be from the wide area, some that will be from the right or left in relation to the opposition.
On facing Brighton & Hove Albion in the next round:
A tough one. At least we’re at home, so that’s always a positive thing. But we know they are a top side and it will be a difficult night.
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