We secured a 3-1 win against Olympiacos in Athens in the first leg of our Europa League round of 16 fixture.
Martin Odegaard’s broke the deadlock in the first half with a fierce shot before Youssef El Arabi equalized from yet another defensive howler. We went on to secure the win with goals from Gabriel and Mo Elneny.
After the game, Mikel Arteta answered questions from BT Sport. Here’s what he had to say…
On the performance…
I think we started the game really well, very dominant, creating a lot of chances. We should have scored at least two or three in the first half but as well, we gave them two chances. After that, we started well again and we give them the goal trying to play out from the back and then we reacted really well to score two more goals. We probably should have scored one more. Overall, a lot of positive things. The result is positive, the performance as well, but we have to stop making the errors that are costing goals. You cannot sustain that at this level.
On how he stops the lapses in concentration…
It’s not concentration. It’s about when you play the ball. It’s not about the structure or the decision-making, it’s about when you play the ball, it makes all the difference. It’s not about stopping the way we play, because this is us. And we get a lot of rewards from it. It’s about identifying when we can do it and how we have to do it.
On whether that’s work that needs to happen in training or in games…
It’s reading the situations, training it when we have more time, which we don’t have because we play every three days, and keep consistent. The worst thing we can do is get the structure to play and then not be willing to play. That’s a big mistake. You do that and then it’s better to play long.
On his favourite goal…
We were really solid, really dominant. We showed real personality to come here and dominate like what we did. The next step is to do that for 96 minutes and give absolutely nothing to the opponent. We’re not there yet.
On the job only being half done…
Yeah, this is half time. In Europe, anything can happen, you’re playing some really good opponents. You know the moment they have anything, they have the ability to create and score goals. Full focus, we start nil-nil in the second leg and we try to win the game again.
On being encouraged by the attacking performance…
Yes, it’s true. We’ve had some of the best moments we’ve played this season, understanding the spaces, the quality, the rhythm, the way we attack the spaces, how we link with each other. It was great. We need to do it for longer periods in the game.
On Thomas Partey being subbed…
It was a tactical decision.
On a good result ahead of the North London derby…
Yeah, of course when you come here and win the game it gives you confidence. It will be a completely different game against our rivals but I’m very excited to play against them.
