Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta reacts to Arsenal 2 - 2 Crystal Palace and whether they can stay in 2nd place
23/04/2025
Emirates Stadium, London, UK
23/04/2025
Emirates Stadium, London, UK
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SportsTranscript
00:00What were your thoughts on that?
00:02Yeah, it was disappointing with the results and with the performance as well.
00:06I think we never got the consistency in many areas to completely dominate the game.
00:13We always had the feeling that we had the ball, we had possession, we went in front twice,
00:17but the game wasn't grabbed, it wasn't dominated and controlled in the way that we normally do,
00:23because we were below the standards in some areas.
00:27When you are not at your best but you are two times ahead, you have to be able to see the game off,
00:32and we weren't able to do it, especially with what happened in the second goal.
00:37That PSG game is obviously just looming, do you think that was in the minds of the players?
00:43I know you wouldn't want it to be, but do you think it was?
00:45Hopefully not, but we discussed that before each week and it wasn't there,
00:49and today we had still six days to prepare that match, and I don't want to use that.
00:54Obviously we have missed a lot of players, a lot of players that haven't trained at all,
00:57that we weren't able to do today, so we've been very short.
01:01But as well, credit to Palace, they are very well organised, they are a really good side,
01:05and they made it difficult for us, and the reality as well that today we are our best.
01:11Alex Pipce?
01:12Hi Michael, that's a 13th draw in the league, I know you've missed a lot of key players,
01:17and had some difficult circumstances, but is there a particular reason do you think we've had so many draws this season?
01:23Well, let's say we haven't been able to see the games off for many reasons,
01:28and the margins have been too small, sometimes that, sometimes credit to the position,
01:33it's true that we played five times with ten men, there are a lot of factors,
01:37but obviously it's something that we've done much better in the past,
01:41especially when we've been ahead in games, and today without really much happening,
01:46especially in the second half, we have to be able to see the game off.
01:50Jordan?
01:51I was just wondering what your thoughts were on the MartÃnez, offside, onside,
01:57whether the ball was off or not, did you have a good view of it, did you think it was...?
02:01No, it took a long time, but I haven't seen the replay yet,
02:04so I don't know exactly why the decision was, I don't know.
02:09And just in terms of the draws, is it a valuable lesson in terms of the next season,
02:13if you're going for a title and you just can't draw as many games as it is...?
02:18Yeah, or lose, I mean, you have to win a certain amount of games,
02:23and at some point we have only lost three games, two of them with ten men,
02:28so we have to win many more.
02:32Sorry to mention this, Mikel, but having spent so much of the season looking at Liverpool and who's in front,
02:39are you now a little bit concerned about maybe what's behind and trying to stay in second?
02:44Because, you know, difficult period of the season with the Champions League and the remaining games to play,
02:50and there are other teams on the hunt too.
02:52We always lose because we know how tough it is to win football matches in the Premier League,
02:56and especially with the amount of numbers and the amount of games that we have,
03:00we're going to have to be really good in both competitions and the right to be where we want to end up.
03:05Does finishing second mean a lot to you?
03:07Sorry?
03:08Does finishing second mean a lot?
03:10We'll see where we finish, we have to do everything that we can game by game.
03:13Simon Snyder.
03:14Mikel, what was the issue with Mikel and Ben White,
03:18and are you hopeful that they'll be alright for Tuesday?
03:21Yeah, we'll have to wait and see, but they weren't able to be in the squad today.
03:24Can I ask you as well about Leo?
03:26Obviously, he didn't start either of those legs against Real Madrid,
03:29but he responded to four goals in his last quarter.
03:32How impressed have you been with that reaction and how much has he now pushed you to start?
03:36Very good.
03:37I think he's been a very consistent player for us,
03:39whether playing as a nine, as a winger, starting or being a soft,
03:44and that's what you want from players.
03:46He's always ready, he's always fit and he can make the difference in any moment.
03:50That's the best thing about Leo.
03:52I think we have the last couple.
03:53Firstly, Tom from London.
03:54Hi.
03:55So you've got these two games with Switch and now this game,
03:58do you feel like you've got a good idea in your mind
04:00about how he might set up for that game next week with those two experiences?
04:04Without understanding who is available, at the moment it's very difficult.
04:08Finally, James, CBS.
04:10Mikel, there were some fresh reports just before this game
04:12around Thomas Partes' future and his contract.
04:15Is there any update in that and do you want him to stay?
04:18I already gave the update the other day
04:20and I think it's enough for me to give any more information about that.
04:24OK, guys, thanks very much.