After Arsenal’s dramatic 3-1 win over Manchester United. Mikel Arteta gave his thoughts to the media.

Here is a summary of what he said along with a full transcript.

In a happy press conference following Arsenal’s 3-1 triumph over Manchester United, manager Mikel Arteta expressed a range of emotions and opinions, from the tactical aspects of the game to individual player performances.

Arteta spoke about the standout display of holding midfielder Declan Rice, the team’s mental resilience, and the concerning injury of key player Thomas Partey.

The Arsenal boss was visibly satisfied with the win but stressed the need for consistent performance throughout the season.

Here is a summary of the key points Arteta made.

Press conference main points:

• Mikel Arteta is pleased with Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Manchester United, having predicted the victory to his team a day prior.
• Arteta feels elated to witness the crowd connect with the team, especially given the historic rivalry between Arsenal and Man United.
• Arteta acknowledges imperfections in the team’s performance, but praises the eagerness, determination, and mentality to win.
• He discusses late goals, stating that although he’d prefer early goals, the team has to adapt and find different ways to win.
• Declan Rice‘s performance receives special mention for his strong play in the holding midfielder role and his ‘magic moment’ that secured the win.
• Arteta underscores the mental fortitude needed for a player to score in a high-pressure situation like Rice did.
• Rice’s integration into the team’s dressing room is described as natural, with Arteta praising his demanding yet humble nature.
• Arteta believes Rice has the potential to contribute more goals, particularly lauding his technical ability and timing.
• When questioned about the title race, Arteta emphasises focusing on one game at a time, given there are 34 matches still to go.
• On Thomas Partey‘s injury, Arteta confirms it’s severe, potentially a groin injury, and expects him to be out for weeks.

Mikel Arteta press conference in full

Was that the journey you planned to victory today?

Exactly like that. I told them yesterday that was what was gonna happen. I didn’t want to tell the crowd so that there was a bit of emotion there.

How do you feel after that?

Great. We all work so hard to live moments like this. Those moments are going to stick with us. To see the crowd so connected with the team again and celebrate in a big match, with the history of these clashes is something great. So I’m really happy.

It wasn’t a perfect performance but what about the finish from Rice?

Yeah. The first goal that we gave away we talked about it, if you lose the ball inside the first two passes after regaining it, you are kaput. We did it again. In the second half, they could have scored – well they did score but it was overturned. For the rest, the win, the eagerness and the determination of the team, the way it shows and that will to win and that mentality to go and go and go. I’m so proud of it.

What’s behind all the late goals?

I prefer that Bukayo puts it in the net a lot earlier and the other chances that we had. If it doesn’t happen like that it has to happen another way. A team needs different tools to win matches. It needs the capacity to react as well. I think we did that really well in the first half and it made the difference. I think that set the tone and brought some calmness to the team as well.

What can you say about Rice’s performance as a whole?

I think a tremendous performance. When you look at how a holding midfielder needs to dominate his area, how he needs to break up play, how he glided the team together when they were stretched a bit. Then he produced a magic moment to win us the game, so, really happy with him.

How much is it about mentality when it comes to finishing a chance like Rice’s at the end?

Yeah. We did it yesterday, but yesterday your heart rate was at 80 and now it’s at 190. To produce the same level of quality there when the pressure is on in that moment is just unique. You need to have that quality, that sense and that composure. He showed it today and he’s there.

How has he fit in the dressing room?

Very natural. He’s a great kid. I think he’s got a good mixture between being extremely demanding with everybody and himself, having a bit of banter and being around the staff and the boys in a really humble way. So I think he’s fitting in brilliantly.

Do you think he can add more goals?

For sure. When you see the technical ability that he has and how he executed in these moments. His range when shooting from accuracy and the power he generates with no space, that’s with both legs, he can do it with both feet. He’s got the timing as well to arrive in the box. The position will dictate that a lot because it’s about how you arrive in the box. But he’s got the ability to do that that’s for sure.

How important is it to get these points for the title race?

For every team, you look at the competition, and it’s like *starts banging the table to indicate intensity* game one, game two, game three, game four, and there are still 34 games to go! So just focus on the game and play with more naturality, then the result will come. If you deserve it after 38 games you will be where you deserve. We can only focus on that because it’s very early.

What’s the latest with Partey?

I don’t know. Unfortunately, he got injured in training. It doesn’t look good. I believe he’ll be out for weeks.

Is it a hamstring?

I think it’s more a groin, but it could be something in between both.

How happy are you with your level so far?

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