Ahead of the high-stakes Premier League clash between Arsenal and Liverpool in this round, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta attended the pre-match press conference.
Q: As you can see, Liverpool spent £450 million to sign Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, making them definite title contenders. Having seen their huge investment, aren’t you surprised by the results they have achieved?A: I don’t know. But I think, well, last year they won the Premier League without spending much money. That’s football, that’s the reality.
To win a title, you need so many things to go your way—almost everything has to be perfect. Once problems arise for the team, such as player injuries or other issues, things are no longer that perfect.
We have all been through these phases, and we will experience them throughout the season. We have to overcome them.
Q: Do you think this highlights that money doesn’t necessarily guarantee success? Even if you invest heavily, it doesn’t mean you can control everything?A: Well, there are plenty of examples of this. You know, especially when it comes to a team’s salary level and player quality, people tend to assume that the team will achieve great success in a certain period. That’s the history of the Premier League, and I’m not saying that’s always been the case in the league over the years.
Q: You mentioned before that you didn’t take the initiative to ask to become Manager. So how did that conversation go, and how did this transition happen?A: No, it was at my home. They came to me and started talking about my ideas and how they wanted to build the club. That was probably five or six months after I took office. They thought this was what I wanted, and I thought I could help in this regard.
This was my vision, this was what I was going to do, and this was my take on the project. I presented these ideas to them, and then we started adding value to these ideas together.
Q: Who wasn’t there with KTR? Sorry? Who was that?A: I’ll keep that confidential.
Q: Talking about changes, what do you think is the main difference with this title? Obviously we have seen the situations of Ruben Amorim and Enzo Maresca, who also mentioned some issues and these changes. What is the main change?A: Honestly, nothing has changed for me. The day after [the promotion], even then, I didn’t force anyone to say I wanted this player—stop it. It’s my decision.
I think the best decisions are always made after everyone can discuss and reflect on why we have to do this. Reach a consensus, and then once we make a decision, whether it’s right or wrong, we stick to it.
Q: Can I ask you about Martin Ødegaard? Yes. He has scored three goals in his last three games, and so far this season, you have won every game he has started. He is just one member of the starting lineup, but what does it say about how important he is to the team when he is in the XI?A: He is absolutely crucial to us. That’s why he is our captain. He was absent for a long time at the start of this season, especially with a series of injuries—including a shoulder injury, a setback after his return, and a knee injury. So yes, the team’s lineup is obviously different when he is available.
Of course, when Ødegaard is at his best, we also have other very good players who can step up, but his current form is vital for us.
