Mikel Arteta faced the media after his Arsenal side narrowly edged past League One Mansfield Town in a classic cup tie at Field Hill. The Gunners have Eberechi Eze to thank, coming off the bench to restore the lead and eventually take the victory.
Max Dowman was naturally a focus of the press conference after another man-of-the-match performance. This was his first appearance in the senior team since November, having returned from an ankle injury.
There was some bad news with two injuries suffered by Arteta’s squad. Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori both had to come off during the game and the Gunners manager was quizzed on their statuses.
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Here is every word Mikel Arteta said during the press conference:
How impressed were you with Mansfield Town, I'm not sure if you were quite expecting quite so strong a performance from them today?
Well, it was a great occasion. I think that game exemplifies the history of the FA Cup, the difficulty of that and the beauty of that. First of all, because they made it really hard so big credit to the team and the way they played.
Because of the pitch, they have to adapt as well. Because of the energy that the supporters put in, which I think was extraordinary. The intensity, the banter at times, the interactions and the belief that they put in towards the team.
And then, because you really have to earn it. We had moments where it should have been two or three [up] when you don't close the games and they have hope and belief. That becomes more and more dangerous and after they equalise in the game, you really have to dig in to earn the right to win it.
Max Dowman has come back from injury, really impressive today. How much do you think he's taken from that and how pleased were you with him?
Well, very proud of him, very proud as well of Marli. Obviously, two 16-year-olds starting in the FA Cup. That tells us a lot about them, their personality and the quality that they have. And Max, I think he was exceptional.
Did you have any doubts at all to start with those two? Because obviously it's a big occasion, a really difficult physical game for them. And what does it tell us about them that they did so well? And have you spoken to them after the game? What have you said to them?
Well, first of all, I congratulate them because to make their debut in the FA Cup, I think Max is the youngest ever in the competition. And this competition has been going for a while, so it tells you how difficult that is. I'm very proud of them, I hope they enjoy, Jaden the same with his debut. And to continue to work is just the first step for them and there's plenty more to come.
Lots of positives for Marli today, a lot of responsibility for him. He looked disappointed to come off, particularly because of how the goal came about. But it looked like you had some words for him. What did you say? And is that all part of the learning experience?
I have to watch it back, but I could sense that he was responsible. And it is good in a way, but don't lose perspective because everybody that has been in that room, that has been at this level, has made an error, a mistake or a situation leading to a goal. But that's not important.
The important thing is the way he played and some of the things that he's done on the pitch. I think that's much more important than the other parts.
You started with a back three. First time you've done that in about four and a half years. What was the thinking?
The players that are available. And if we want to manage the load and certain issues that we had in the team, you have to adapt to that. And sometimes it’s not ideal when you have a day to prepare.
But as well, it was a challenge for all of us to see how we could adapt to that, which I expected in very difficult circumstances.
Did you train it once?
Yes, once. Ten minutes.
Just on the pitch and how Max played, the word responsibility, he seemed to really take that. His security on the ball, being able to carry it as well as he did on that pitch, what does that say about him and how he's coming along?
Yes, and quality. Because when the ball is bouncing all over the place and you have people in your back, the way he handles time and space and the touches that he takes, it's just incredible. Especially at the speed that he delivers those actions. But that tells you the talent that we have.
Can I just ask you about Calafiori and Trossard as well, who came off in the game. What's their latest?
Both of them, they had little niggles. They were not comfortable to continue. And I knew that this could be a possibility, especially in the conditions that we're playing today. So we had to take them off.
And just quickly on the players that weren't here, Gabriel and Zubimendi, Rice, were they rested or were there any issues there?
Well, they had issues and they've been carrying issues. And the amount of games that we are playing, it's obviously super demanding. And it was the only time to try to make sure that we can clean those issues that they're having to start the next sequence of two weeks before the break in the best possible way. And we had to make those decisions.
Mikel, you weren't flooding the 60-yard box for corners with loads of players this time. Completely different tactics. Can you explain why you didn't do that? Did you give your players more of a licence to play football in this game than in your league campaign?
No, the same.
What about the issue about the complete change of tactics in the case of corners?
Yeah, because we adapt to the opposition. And the most important thing is how we can help them to score a goal in any situation. And in the corners, it's exactly the same.
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