Gabby at that level is a big asset for us - Arteta - video Dailymotion

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta discussed how Gabby [Gabriel Jesus] at that level is a big asset for us having scored the hatrick for Arsenal's Carabao quarter final 3-2 victory  18/12/2024  Emirates Stadium, London, UK

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00:00What are your expectations for the game?

00:02We're really happy. We're in the semi-final. The game started in a way that we certainly

00:07didn't want to with a very simple goal. Then the team had to react and I think it did in

00:15a great way. It showed a lot of character, so much desire to turn things around. Even

00:20though in the first half we lacked some threat, we created two or three big chances, the end

00:24score, and with a few adjustments in the second half we got grip of the game again and I would

00:29have looked a threat.

00:30It's like you could almost see the confidence coming back to Jesus in the second half?

00:37So pleased for him. Obviously it's been a long period for him without goals and today

00:43to score the three goals, the three types of goals that he scored as well, and many

00:48actions that he was involved in, he looked really sharp. I think it's a great thing for

00:51him, it's a great thing for the team as well that we can rely on a player of such a quality.

00:58The same with Kieran, the same with all the players that haven't started many games and

01:01today they had the chance to do so.

01:03Yesterday you spoke about this competition being something that can bring momentum back.

01:09I think the question at the time was talking about the trophy itself in February, but in

01:14this week in particular, that momentum in the second half, can that be something that's

01:19really useful going into the weekend and the rest of the season?

01:22Yeah, and especially if we don't win, to win the next one is really important. To win it

01:25in a difficult situation, if any, context, and they play with their stats in XI as well.

01:31They get that momentum going and we are able to break it, overcome it and win the game.

01:36Really pleased, I think it's very helpful for Saturday.

01:38How important could he be with his back thin-firing in full form? How important could he be in

01:45the second half of the season? Could he be a game-changer for you in terms of adding more confidence?

01:49Yeah, well he brings something, he has a quality, he has a way of creating, generating situations

01:55that is quite unique. So, Gabi at that level obviously is a big asset for us.

01:59In terms of the changes you made tonight, do you feel you had to make that many changes

02:06just to kind of freshen the team up or was there some more tactical things you wanted?

02:11Well, I thought it was appropriate and good for the team to make those changes. You are

02:18right or wrong in relation to the result basically, but I think the players deserve, especially

02:23some of them that haven't played much, to feel important and everything that they earn

02:27with their attitude, their behaviours, the way they train, the way they play when they

02:31have chances, to feel that it's worth it. So, I'm really happy with that.

02:36With Gabriel obviously his injury, it's been well done for him since last year. Now he's

02:41fit and firing. What level do you think he can now go to? Obviously in the past year

02:45or two he was sitting where he could be on his back.

02:47Yeah, it's now about consistency. So, now obviously this is a moment of a spark that's

02:51going to give him so much confidence, not only to him but to the team as well, that

02:56we can rely on him to change those games. Now we need to take it and give him more games,

03:01give him chances because when a player is in that moment it's important to continue

03:05to do that.

03:06Saka and Elgar obviously came on and gave you assists for all the goals. Any concern

03:12from you that the team still needs these two guys all the time?

03:16They are two of our best players but we rely on the team and we rely on a lot of individuals

03:23like any other team to perform, to change games, to help us to impact the team. Certainly

03:29coming from the bench and to have the impact that they have, it's really good to see as well.

03:34On Kieran, first of all can I check, was it cramp or injury?

03:38Yeah, no cramp, cramp.

03:39You really seem to get a lot of joy particularly in the second half using him almost as a winger

03:45basically. I wonder what that tells you going forward about what you could do with him?

03:50Well, he's playing in his strengths and that's something that we have to continue to learn

03:58because they give you a lot of information. They tell you, not sometimes with their words

04:03but with a lot of information where they feel more comfortable and he's certainly there,

04:08it's a much better fit for him.

04:12Just to work on Elgar, you pulled him off against Everton before he wasn't in a special

04:16performance but he came on today and he played a part in all three goals. So how pleased

04:21were you with the way he came back?

04:22Great, good response. That's what we want from all of that. We have that,

04:27elevate the level and help to impact the team.

04:34Does that make your team selection on Saturday quite easy?

04:42Let's see, let's enjoy it tonight and I'm going to start to think. It's good that we

04:46have players that are knocking on the door and telling the team I deserve to be there.

04:51So, good problem to have.

04:54Thank you, have a good night.

05:03you

Gabby at that level is a big asset for us - Arteta

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