You have travelled with a strong squad, is that an indication that you’ll try to qualify early?
We don’t have that many players available unfortunately because of the injuries we picked in the last few weeks. This is a competition that we want to take very seriously against an opponent that is going to make life difficult for us. We want to start the competition in the right way and maintain our momentum.
Arsenal haven’t won a European trophy in 29 years. Is that bad for a club of their stature?
That’s a long time. We would like to be the first one to break that negative record but you have to start somewhere and it starts tomorrow by playing well and earning the right to win the match.
Do you think you’re seeing the benefits of not overexposing Martinelli a few years ago?
I don’t know. We just try to make the decision based on what we see. Where the players are at, the space we have in the team and when we believe they are ready to step in and give the performance and expose them when it’s fair for the players as well, to demand certain things which at this club, is going to be exposed. Right now, you see a player with tremendous talent that is performing very consistently at a high level and he needs to keep doing that and keep improving.
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Were you surprised by the Tuchel news?
I was yes. It was right before training when we got the news. It is always sad for any colleague in this profession to get fired. Unfortunately, we know how this works. Wish him the best of luck.
Does this make you appreciate the stability you have at Arsenal?
It makes me realise that we have a profession that, in a big percent this is going to happen. We have to prepare for it and we have to enjoy the journey and we have to enjoy every day because you never know what’s coming.
What’s going on with Smith Rowe?
He felt some discomfort again in an area that he’s been dealing with now for a few weeks. He wasn’t comfortable after the game and he hasn’t trained in the last few days so he’s out of the squad.
Xhaka was a bit more exposed last year whereas this year he’s a bit further forward. Can you describe that evolution?
He has a different role this year. He’s been in more advanced areas, I think he’s playing really well. He’s been really consistent and he’s a really important player for us.
Kieran Tierney has been a starter for you for most of your time at the club but that’s changed now Zinchenko is here. How has he taken that?
First of all Kieran went through a period of three or four months with an injury he picked up. He’s come back, he’s in a really good place and what we want is to have competition in every position. In his position it’s no different.
Xhaka was close to leaving. What did you say to convince him to stay?
I gave him my opinion about the situation and I tried to explain the reason why I thought leaving at that moment wasn’t the best idea. Knowing his character and how he is, I thought he would recreate it. After that day by day, he has earned the respect of everybody at the club and all our supporters and he’s playing really well for us.
What did you first see about Fabio Vieira that made you want to sign him and has it been better that he’s built up slowly?
We were looking for players that could play in the three positions, one in the front and in the attacking midfielder positions. We were looking in the market with very specific qualities and when I saw him I liked what I saw. Straight away I was so convinced that he was the player who was going to help us go to the next level and that he had the right personality and character to play for our club. It’s been a shame because we detected an injury when he was doing the medical and he had no preseason and everything has been delayed. Hopefully, you’re gonna see a lot more of him in the next few weeks and I’m sure that you’re going to enjoy.
What is FC Zurich’s biggest danger?
The biggest danger is that they haven’t got the results that they probably expected after the season they had last year. You can see how willing they are to win football matches and this is a different competition with a different context. I expect a team that will be very ready tomorrow.
What did you make of Bernd Leno’s comments in the press?
I’m really surprised and I don't know if he’s talking about the politics when he was starting every match or the politics when he wasn’t playing. Really surprised about it.
Will you try to avoid overexposing Saka this year before the World Cup?
We will try. If the squad and performances allow us, we will try to do our best to manage his load and get him on the field in the best possible condition. (We are) understanding that after November, we have something (a winter World Cup) that we have never experienced before.
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