Has the explanation made things better with VAR?
We ended the game after analysing all the evidence that we’ve had with the images with a huge anger and disappointment because that wasn’t a human error, that was a big not conceiving and understanding your job and that’s not acceptable, I’m sorry. That costs Arsenal two points that’s not going to be restored. We’re going to have to find those two points somewhere in the league. At the same time we appreciate the apology and the explanations and we got a lot of sympathy from colleagues in the industry and in football who say that we cannot play the game with the integrity like we do. That’s it. We have to move on. That has certainly made the players, staff and our fans stronger and given them more desire to pass this hurdle that they put on us. So we’re ready for it.
Are you satisfied it won’t happen again after speaking to them?
I will only be satisfied if they give me the two points back which is not going to be the case. I appreciate what I think were really sincere, open and genuine apologies and explanations which is really good. But it doesn’t change the fact that we have two points less on the table.
It can’t be right that you do your job right and other people aren’t doing there’s can it?
No but everybody makes mistakes, and we are part of that, the first one being myself. But that was something else. I wasn’t having it, the club weren’t having it and I think it’s clear the consequences of what happened.
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Is VAR fit for purpose?
When I see the reaction of Howard Webb and the PGMOL and everyone and how genuine it was and that anger, they want to do the best and they know the standards that are at stake. I think at the end it will help. Hopefully we can use that to make the game better, have more integrity and pay more attention to details that matter because at the end of the day it has a significant output on results.
Will you use this to galvanise your players?
That was the reaction straight away from everybody. We can’t do anything about it, don’t use it as an excuse, try to move on, face it and that’s it.
What’s the latest on the injuries?
Everybody available that we had from the previous game so far unless something strange happens today in their beds!
You haven’t made many changes this season. Will you look to do that given the dip in form? How close is someone like Trossard to starting?
At the end that’s more determined by results. For us it’s more about performances and what the players have given us to take us to the position that we’re in today. They deserve opportunities and we’re looking to move players and to give them opportunities they deserve. You talked about Leo, but we can talk about anybody who has had minutes in this league. There will be changes and it’s going to happen soon.
How’s the mood been?
A great energy. I sensed it since I arrived after the Brentford game. From the staff and everyone at the club, it was a mixture of anger and desire to play the game tomorrow.
What’s City’s biggest threat?
Them as a team. What they have done in the last six years they absolutely merit it. The way they play, the way they have competed. For us the challenge is to get to that level. We need to use that challenge and that energy. This is where we want to be. That is the level and we’re getting closer to it.
How much would it mean to beat Pep?
For me it’s the team. The team, the club and where we are. For me beating one manager or another it’s not about that. It’s about beating the next opponent and in this case it’s Man City.
What are you expecting from the crowd tomorrow?
That we play with 15 players tomorrow. That they are so into it in every single ball, and giving us so much energy and support and basically what they’ve been doing all season. Let’s enjoy a really beautiful night in a really special way.
What have you learnt about your team in adversity?
We have a few moments in the past where we’ve learnt a lot. Especially in the team, the type of characters they are, how much they care about their profession and each other and their ambition and purpose to win.
Will playing City go in your favour given their different approach to Everton and Brentford?
I hope so! Obviously they have very different qualities and game styles, but every team we face is a different challenge.
You said you didn’t want to be up against Pep in the title race if you had a choice. What will it be like coming up against him now?
I want to win tomorrow.
Did you think you’d be in this position at the start of the season?
If you asked me at the start of the season I probably would have doubted you. I would have hoped, but doubtful. But this is where we are and we have to go every single day to try and get there.
In the World Cup and Serie A they used semi-automated offsides. If this is the best league in the world should they be using the best tech?
There are many discussions around it. We started the season in one way and maybe in the summer there will be changes. I don’t know what the plans are for that.
Do you think there needs to be a harsher punishment for mistakes?
I don’t know what it is. It’s not for me to judge. It’s not about someone making a mistake and then let’s crucify him. It’s trying to do the best that we can together to have a fairer sport and make the decisions clearer and better. Hopefully that will help because of what happened last weekend.
Since the City charges it seems to have galvanised them. Is that a worry?
I don’t know what the outcome will be.
How much does experience come into play tomorrow?
I don’t know. I don’t know how much experience we had when we had to play Man Utd at home, or Chelsea away or Spurs away. It’s how we perform. That will dictate what happens in the game.
Is it different because it’s a title race?
At the end it’s three points. The same three points that we won against Spurs, the same two points that we lost against Brentford. Exactly the same.
Will Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson be available?
I will do the list now. So I will make that decision.
Pep has spoken about his team struggling to keep the hunger, while it’s your side’s first chance to win a league. Is that an advantage for you?
I don’t know. We are comparing two very different teams, one with huge experiences in doing that and a lot of our players have never done it. We want to use that will, that energy and that anger that we have inside to make the most out of it.
What did you learn under Pep?
I was working there. I was studying a lot, but I was working there. It was an incredible experience to be with him, and all the coaching staff and personnel that was there at the time. Like every experience it just added. It made me a better player, a better coach and a better person for sure. Then you use it in your career after that.
What’s it like to hear people say that they have Arsenal figured out?
Every team is trying to understand what we do, the same with every opponent. When I look at the performances I’m satisfied. Sometimes the results are better than others because there’s many factors but for sure we are always looking to evolve with the players that we have to put them in the best position to win games.
Is the atmosphere starting to feel like the big European nights?
The atmosphere that we generate at the Emirates is just incredible. The players are talking about it, they really enjoy it and it makes it very special to be part of that.
How’s Jesus?
Doing really well. He’s on the pitch, he’s been doing quite a lot of work on the ball already and so far his rehab is going well.
Still no timeframe?
Unfortunately no. Ask the doctor maybe he’ll give you one.
Do you believe Pep when he says Haaland might not be available?
Of course. That’s what he said so I always believe him.
Pep said Arsenal are the best team in the league this season. Do you agree?
The table says that we have a lot of points. To be the best team in the league there are obviously still four months to go. We’ll see at the end.
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