Every word from Mikel’s post-Dinamo Zagreb presser
He spoke about our European form this term, the possibility of a break next month, and the form of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz among other topics.
Here is everything he had to say:
on another Champions League win and clean sheet:
I’m very happy overall, it’s a massive step forward tonight. It puts us in a really strong position to play the last game in Girona. We scored three goals, created plenty of chances, dominated the game, didn’t concede a shot and another clean sheet at home. So overall, very happy.
on whether we’ve mathematically qualified:
I haven’t had as much time as you probably so we’re struggling with that. I know that we are in a really, really good position.
A lot of things have to happen, so still, we have to do our job. We will go to Girona and try to win the game, and then we’ll have more sense.
on the prospect of a warm weather training camp:
I’m going to ask Opta to speak to [travel agents,] I think that’s a better idea. No, it’s really good. We made certain changes for freshness, to give minutes to certain players that fully deserve them as well.
We had some setbacks yesterday as well, with the players that we could use tonight, three of them that were under patrol and they were on the bench, but not ready to be used. So it’s good that we won and we’ll enjoy it, and then let’s go Wolves.
Highlights: Arsenal 3-0 Dinamo Zagreb
on Declan Rice’s form:
His intent, his purpose, especially attacking the positions he is taking and how he’s driving with the ball. There is another bite to his game and today he could have scored two goal.
In the last few weeks he had some big, big open chances to score to affect the game, so overall, I’m very happy because we need to affect the game from those positions and he’s certainly capable of doing that.
on Declan Rice’s fitness:
He had another niggle and then the demands of the game. He’s played so much football in the last two years, and as well, on top of that, we have moved him from one position to another. So, all the factors, but the good thing with Declan is he’s so consistent, so reliable.
He’s always there, and when he can create those sparks, those moments, in the opposition’s box, it’s a great thing to have.
on managing the load for players like Rice:
He needs that like the others. Sometimes it’s related to freshen up, and sometimes related to say we need another level and if not, somebody else is going to be there. So everybody has to be on their toes. He’s not different to that and you can see that when he’s fresher and he’s in the condition that he is, he’s a big player for us.
on adding goals from midfield:
We know that and we know in the last two seasons when we scored that many goals, how we shared those goals. You could guess by the reaction of Martin how much that goal mant to him. So hopefully now we go and that’s going to happen very often.
