What’s the latest team news?
We’re in the same place as last week. We still have the doubt with Tomiyasu. The rest I think they’re all there.
Do you think Watford have transformed under Roy Hodgson with the resilience that they showed vs Manchester United?
Roy is extremely good at doing that and getting the team in the same mindset and working really hard and making team really compact and hard to beat. It’s a quality of his for sure. He has more experience than anyone in this league to do that, how to mould a team, how to take a team where he wants and he’s exceptional at that.
How have you managed to instil the resilience that Arsenal showed against Wolves?
I think it’s very related to belief and trust. When you have the willingness that those players have to be successful, to play the game we want to play, how much they like to interact with each other, that’s where everything starts to flourish. At the end the consequence of that is probably the resilience.
Then that has to be built and to build that I think you need good experiences as well. Good experiences help you to believe you can do more, you have confidence and know how to resolve certain issues when they appear on the pitch, and it’s good because it was very much needed in those games to win the matches.
Does the fact that you’re seen as favourites by fans change expectations?
I don’t know. I think it’s positive because that’s where we want to be playing. The reality is we are not fourth but sixth still. If we win those games yes, but we have to win those games. We know what we have to do to get there and there’s a long way to go. The only focus and aim is to win against Watford.
Roy started managing six years before you were born. Can you imagine doing this job at his age?
I knew I was going to meet him at the end of his career. When you tell me that it’s incredible how long he’s been and how he’s managed to balance his life in a way that there is that much space for a career in football and a managerial career that has so many things implicit on that that it basically sucks your life out. He looks healthy, he looks good, and he’s a person that I admire and I think he’s a great example for any coach to spend some time with him.
It’s a stressful job right?
It’s a great job. It’s the passion, it’s the interaction, it’s spending time with people, building a team and the energy that creates around it, the connection you have to build with the club and the supporters. It’s everything. But yeah, it has a lot of implications because there are a lot of decisions you have to make. Imagine the decisions Roy has had to make in the last 35, 40 years. It’s just phenomenal.
Arsenal and Watford’s training grounds are right next to each other. When you were a player did you ever meet up with their players?
I had some friends there in my team here. It’s very easy because after training you just crash each other with the cars. I think it’s great, I think that relationship should be stronger and stronger and for example Edu is doing something to build those relationships because we are close. I think we can help each other in many ways as well so I think it’s a positive thing.
Would you invite Roy round for a coffee?
100%. If not I can walk there. No problem.
Where’s the coffee better Arsenal or Watford?
Depends who makes it!
How hard are Watford going to be to beat now Roy Hodgson is in charge?
Very solid, very organised, very clear in how they want to approach the match and where they want to take the match. We have to do what we have planned and take them in a completely different direction. That will be the challenge. It’s a great stadium, great atmosphere, everything is tight and you know what you’re going to experience there.
Back in August after the three defeats you said you thought better times were coming. What gave you that confidence?
That we have great people and very good players. I think that combination at the end when everybody is on board has to have a good outcome. I believed in that and I still believe in that today.
Is one of those players Ben White?
(He’s having) a brilliant season. I think what he’s done, how quickly he’s adapted, how quickly he been able to handled it, with the pressure, with the number that he’s wearing, the price that we paid and what we demand him to do straight way at his age, I think it’s been great.
Frank Lampard got an apology from Mike Riley on Friday. Have you heard anything from him given the decisions you’ve had this season?
We are always in touch with them. It’s great because after the match we can all be honest, and you get the replies that you want, but you cannot effect the game after.
No personal phone calls so far?
No.
What specifically is Edu doing to work closely with Watford?
It depends. At least open the relationships and explore possibilities that we can have with our players and their players. They are next door. We can compete against each other but I think as well it’s important to have good relationships and that’s the case I think.
What do you think you’ll be doing at 74 (Roy Hodgson’s age)?
I don’t know. If you asked me 10 years ago what I would be doing I'd probably get all the answers wrong. If I’m as healthy and as happy as what he’s done in the game, I think I can sign it today.
Has having a less busy schedule and going to Dubai helped you get results?
It was like that for many reasons because we had to play Chelsea when they had the Club World Cup, Liverpool when they had the Carabao Cup so we have tried to maximise the situation that we have in the best possible way. So far it’s been good.
Have the players responded to longer periods of listening to what you and the coaches have to say?
So far yes. I don’t know if they can sustain that!
Thomas Partey did an interview in December rating his time at Arsenal as a 4/10. Since then he’s been one of the best players. What’s changed for Thomas?
I think when you’re honest with yourself it’s a great starting point. When you assess yourself in the way Thomas did publicly it’s a really rare thing to do. He did it because he thought that’s the case and that he wants to give much more to the team and the club. Probably that day something clicked. The fact that he’s been injury free is massive, but as well he’s probably more fit as well because he’s doing things better.
Have you noticed a big improvement?
Yes.
What about with his shooting? Does he practice it in training?
He’s practicing. Some of the goals he scores in training you’d be amazed, but you won’t believe me probably so you’ll have to see one of those soon getting into the net.
Supporters have spoken about wearing the away colours of yellow and blue to show support for Ukraine. Would you support that?
I would support any initiative that is to demonstrate that we have to live in peace. If that’s the case and they believe it’s the right thing to do, of course I will support that.
