It's less than a month since you last faced Chelsea. What have you learned about your team in that time?
Well a lot of things have happened and it feels longer than a month to be fair. The
amount of games, the amount we've trained, the amount of things that happened. Yes, a
lot of things changed, a lot of positives in terms of reactions and the things they
are taking on board, the way we have managed to change the energy, atmosphere, relationship
and chemistry with our fans was massively important for us. So yes, in terms of results
it could have been a little bit different, I think we have been very unlucky and other
aspects have influenced that. But in general yeah
Arsenal scored first in the last five games but won twice. How concerning is that?
Yeah and the way we conceded, I think the last to goals hurt a little. We have to try
to make a difference when we are first on the scoreline. We have to have the ambition
to score the second and third goal where we have the opportunities to do so. In the final
moments in the Premier League the game is never closed.
How big a role will Eddie Nketiah have between now and the end of the season?
It would depend on the circumstances, the players we have available, his performance,
the way he trains the impact he makes every time he plays. He's a young player but I have
to try and treat him exactly the same as the other ones. I put him in the pitch because
I think he deserves it. The way he trains, the way he shows every day how much he wants
it and it will depend on him.
Alexandre Lacazette said he felt Arsenal need to be nastier. Do you agree with that?
Yes, I think it's part of the game management and I think there were things we could have
done better to put more pressure on the opponent, to bring the ball into certain areas where
we could rest with the ball and control the game better. That will come. It's a good process
for us to learn about those situations.
Is it difficult to convince the players things are going in the right direction despite the results?
I don't have that feeling. The feedback I'm getting from them is very positive, they know
when we haven't won the reasons why and there are many different aspects to that - some
we can influence some we cannot influence - but they are there and they are very aware of that.
What did you learn about your team specifically from the Chelsea match in December?
I think it's different from then to now. I loved the first 30-35 minutes, the way we
went about it, how aggressive we were, how much we wanted to attack and put them under
pressure. It's the kind of way we want to play. After that we had a little bit of a setback.
They changed the system and we found it a little more difficult to deal with that. We
started to defend deep without really conceding anything and had some great opportunities
on the break as well but I think physically in that moment as well it was harder for us
to maintain the same amount of energy and against Chelsea that is vital.
Is that how you will approach tomorrow? That high level of energy but for longer than 30 minutes
It doesn't matter where we go, my ambition will always be to go anywhere and play our
way, go with the same direction every time and the same intention.
10th in the table, 10 points off the top four. Is this a must win?
It's very important if we want to have the aim to fight for that.
The game at home could have made a big difference as well and we were very close to it so tomorrow
we need a win.
Are things any closer in terms of arrivals?
Things haven't moved at all since the weekend.
PSG's sporting director says there hasn't been a call for Layvin Kurzawa by Arsenal.
Is that your understand as well?
There is nothing new to say on any individual players and when we have more info we'll let you know.
Could you go through the month without getting anybody?
It's a possibility, yes.
Would you be happy if that happens or not?
I would not be unhappy without anybody in because we couldn't, it's because the players
we want to bring in have to be players that will help us and make a difference in the
squad not just for the sake of just bringing in players.
Have you surprised by the top four race?
Everybody is having a lot of problems putting together back to back wins. The league has
been very competitive this season and that's why the gap is not that big. There is still
another four months to play. A lot of things happen, a lot of games between the top
teams as well so I think that will change.
Is the Premier League or Europa League the best way back into the Champions League?
We don't know at the moment. For me, the only way to do it is to work every single day and
try to improve those players to try and make them feel comfortable on the pitch and with
the ideas we are putting together, to get every performance as good as we can and that
will take us closer to every game. To look further than that is unrealistic.
Is Martinelli starting tomorrow?
I don't know.
There was a story about him going to Brazil for internationals. Is he staying with the squad?
It is something we are discussing with the club at the moment and with Gabi as well and
when we know something we will let you know.
Will you watch the Chelsea match back with the players?
We always review our matches and when you play in short times you have to see what happened
and the reasons why, things we can improve, things we did well so of course we will review it.