Mikel Arteta was pleased with the attitude of his players as Arsenal eased past West Brom to secure a tie with AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup third round.
The Gunners scored three times in each half with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbing a hat-trick and Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka and substitute Alex Lacazette also finding the net.
After a difficult start to their campaign and lots of negative headlines, it was a fun night at The Hawthorns ahead of Saturday’s daunting trip to the Etihad.
Here’s what the boss had to say when he faced the Sky Sports cameras…
On the biggest win of his managerial career…
It was really good. It’s always a tough place to come in midweek. They are a good side. I know they made some changes, we also made some changes, but to score six away from home and keep a clean sheet, which we needed as well, I’m really happy.
On what pleased him the most…
The attitude that the team had right from the beginning, right from the warm-up, the way they worked and the togetherness around the team. We’re all disappointed that we haven’t won any of the two games in the Premier League but the attitude of the team and how together they are.
On what the win gives his players…
When you lose, the most important thing is to win the next match as quick as possible. Win, get some confidence, get a clean sheet, score some good goals. Players that needed goals, players that needed minutes, it’s a very positive night.
On Aubameyang looking sharp…
He didn’t start the season, he’s coming from Covid and he looked sharp. Obviously, it’s the first minutes that he played along with the other night so he needs some rhythm and physically, he’s not at his best yet, but he looked good tonight.
On whether Auba will play more games in the middle…
He’s played outside, he can play inside, it’ll depend on the plan for the game, the players we have available, whether we play with two strikers, it’ll depend.
On Odegaard and Ramsdale…
Very good, both of them. I think Martin gave us something different on the ball that we don’t have with any other player in the team. And Aaron looked very comfortable. He’s a big personality and he looks really comfortable in goal.
On whether Arsenal might spend more money…
I don’t know what will happen, there’s still a few days to go. We have some exits that are planned.
On Kolasinac and Maitland-Niles playing despite speculation…
As you say, this is speculation. While they are here, we try to treat everybody as good as we can, give them minutes. They have an incredible attitude so the only thing we can do, when we can, is to reward them with minutes because they deserve that.
On a tough game next against reigning champions Man City…
Absolutely, we know what we’re going to face at the weekend, it’s going to be a completely different game. We have to get ready physically and mentally after tonight and then go for it.
