How frustrating was that?
Yes I'm very disappointed today. I think the performance deserved three points and
we lost two points. In the Premier League if you don't put the game to bed in the last
10-15 minutes, these types of teams just need a long ball, second ball or set piece and
you can give the points away.
It's felt like a one-goal lead hasn't been enough for Arsenal all season. There's always
nervousness in the crowd and in the players?
Yeah and there is a history of that (which) I think makes it more. But in the Premier
League when you're 1-0 up in the last 10 minutes be careful because anything can happen.
Do you need to undo the work that was done before you?
I don't know. What was done before, they tried to do their best possible thing. I inherited
a team in a difficult situation that was trying to improve as much as possible but I don't
know. In the second half they didn't generate anything to the goal, just one long ball,
a second ball and someone from an incredible angle put it in the top bin. It's difficult
to control.
Is it a fitness issue?
I think they all went full gas. I think they all tried really hard and we put them under
real pressure every time we didn't allow them to come out the way they do and generate overloads
in wide areas and control second phases and put crosses in the box - I don't think that
was the case. Maybe in the first five or 10 minutes when we had to figure out the game.
But after that when you are 1-0 up in the last minutes and they change to a back four,
start committing more bodies forward, both full-backs are high and they have six players
in front of the ball it's more difficult to control. You play long balls or second balls
like this, it's not easy.
Do you think you should have had a penalty?
I think it's very clear.
Did you speak to the referee about it?
No.
Did Gabriel Martinelli step up for you today?
Absolutely, he's an 18-year-old kid with all the enthusiasm but as well he's so brave
to make decisions, to threaten the opponent every time He is always in the middle of the
goal waiting for an opportunity to come and the fact he hasn't played 90 minutes for a
while since his injury - but still the way he went about every single action is impressive.
Scoring nine goals now is an astonishing record isn't it?
Absolutely, yeah.
You had a discussion with Ainsley Maitland-Niles during the match. Was that to give him specific instructions?
When we are analysing the opponent and there are some errors that happen on the pitch we
have to correct them and try to help the players as much as possible and we can ask Ainsley
a lot of things but he's not a full-back. Bukayo is not a full-back. They are
trying to adapt as quickly as possible but these things are going to happen.
What's the case with Reiss Nelson?
We had an incident in training and the doctor is still deciding how long it's going to take
but it's not looking good.
How will the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations effect Arsenal?
Let's see. It's something we are talking to the club (about) to figure out exactly
the scenario we are going to be looking at. It's not just us there are many other clubs
involved. They never asked any questions to us so I'm assuming we have to accept whatever
decision comes.
Does that change your philosophy in the transfer market? (When thinking about singing African players?)
Mine at the moment, no.