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Every word from Mikel's Post-Newcastle press release | Press conference | News

After watching his side suffer defeat at St James' Park, Mikel Arteta answered questions from journalists on Tyneside following our 1-0 defeat.

He was asked about recent performances, our current table position, individual achievements and much more.

Here's everything he had to say:

to the frustrating result:
We started the game really well. I think we were on top, we looked sharp, we looked alive and then in one action, direct play, second ball, which is what they do really well. They bring the ball behind with an incredible cross and finish. After that the dynamic changes, the energy shifts, they know how they want to play and it's clear, and then in this type of game you have two options.

We weren't good enough and didn't have enough answers to get out of there, especially because we created the necessary threat. So in the end you have to rely on two or three big chances, which we had with Mikel, and two with Declan and one with Gabi. Not enough threat to change the game and win at any time. That's the frustrating part, but I also give them credit for what they did.

on the feeling about the league placement:
I understand that we didn't talk about it in the last eight, nine, 10 games last year and we won't talk about it now. It's about how we react. We won't find the right answers or words to describe them at the moment, but we'll definitely have to show how we feel on this field against Inter on Wednesday night.

to the players entering the field early after halftime:
No, that wasn't intentional. We did what we normally do and they left early because they decided to.

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about emotions and pressure:
I didn't feel that. I think I would have felt that at the start of the game, but I didn't have that feeling. What I felt, especially when we had to come from behind, was that we lacked more purpose, more threat and more ability to really hurt them. We gave the ball away, I think we gave 17/18 free kicks away from home so the game is constantly being stopped, so it's not a good result for us.

if the level has recently fallen:
Yes, especially with a lot of the things we do consistently with the ball, but that's something we definitely need to improve on.

to Martin Odegaard:
We don't have it. You know, we can discuss all day about the fact that we don't have it right now, we haven't had it in four to six weeks and we don't have it yet, but we have a lot of other answers that have been very effective . Today we have to look at ourselves, congratulate Newcastle and move on.

on physicality in favor of Newcastle:
It's easier to say that than to actually do it. We assume that each opponent has their own qualities and characteristics and is really good at what they do.

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on the appearance of Thomas Partey:
I'll have to make that assessment once I have more clarity on where he was having problems, but I don't get the impression he was having major problems. Every time we have the situation where Thomas plays a different position because we don't have any other right-back at the moment. We will always have this debate and Thomas is fantastic.

on Isak's effect:
They are all tall and very physical, especially Joelinton [Partey] had to deal with him, especially when he was playing directly on his side. I love my players and wouldn't trade them for anyone else.

about not taking advantage of the opportunities:
When you create three big chances in the game, of course you hope to score a goal because those are the good chances we always talk about, but I think the team should have created more and that's my responsibility.

Copyright 2024 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. The use of quotations from this article is permitted provided the source is credited to www.arsenal.com.

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