Arteta on competing against the best teams in the world in the Premier League

NicheSportMedia

Mikel Arteta on competing against the best teams in the world in the Premier League  18/04/2025  Sobha Realty Training Ground, London, UK

Transcript

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.

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