Post-West Ham Quotes Round-up: Arteta, Nuno, Saka, Mavropanos, Wright

Arsenal made light work of West Ham, cruising to a 2–0 win thanks to Declan Rice’s opener and Bukayo Saka’s coolly taken penalty.

It capped a fine week following wins over Newcastle and Olympiacos, but the mood was tempered by another injury scare for Martin Odegaard – the captain forced off in the first half for the third home match running.

Here’s what the managers, players, pundits and stattos made of the action…

Mikel Arteta on the win and temporarily going top…

To go top of the table after some big fixtures over the last week and some injuries, we got some today but we were able to respond. We dominated and fully deserved to win this. We had some big, big chances we didn’t put away. The players who came on contributed to maintaining the standards. Let’s look forward to the international break.

Source: BBC Match of the Day

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Nuno Espirito Santo on his first defeat as West Ham boss…

We are starting working on things that we consider the basics – our organisation, the way we press, being aggressive. Those were things we’ve not seen all the game, but good on those aspects. On the other hand, I think we needed a bit more going out with the ball, having a breather, we play against a tough team that disrupted with fouls. Now is the moment to analyse. But with all the changes that have been going, I think the players are responding and trying and this is what pleases me the most. 

Source: BBC Sport

Saka on another win and clean sheet…

We know the quality that we have at the top end of the pitch, the players that start and the players that are on the bench that come in. We’ve seen how much of an impact everyone has made. We know if we keep a clean sheet, it’s more than likely we’re going to win the game. 

Source: Sky Sports

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Dinos Mavropanos on a tough afternoon for the Irons…

We knew from the beginning that it was going to be a tough game. We wanted to be compact defensively, to try and keep the ball and then do our best up front. We weren’t able to create a lot of chances, and I think we were a bit weak in terms of keeping the ball. When we were winning back possession, we couldn’t really keep it or make chances, and in the end we didn’t get anything out of the game. But we worked hard, and we know we have to keep going, which we will.

Source: whufc.com

Arteta on keeping seven clean sheets in 10 games this season…

It requires a lot of focus, a lot of determination, a lot of discipline and we have that with every member of the team, that’s the good thing. It’s not only about the back line or David, it’s our habits, how much we are willing to defend, obviously how dominant we are with the ball as well, to spend as little time as possible defending our box. So, overall, very happy.

Source: Arsenal.com

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Saka on reaching 100 goal involvements in 200 PL appearances…

I don’t really like to linger on these things, but you said it, it’s a beautiful achievement. I’m really proud of that, obviously, 200 games in the Premier League for Arsenal is a really big moment, and it was nice to get a goal as well. 

Source: Sky Sports

Arteta on Saka’s record…

When you look at those numbers, 200 games, 100 goal involvements, it’s unbelievable. His age, what he’s doing, the manner that he’s doing it as well, really impressive. That’s the kind of players that we need to achieve what we want.

Source: Post-game press conference

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Arteta on Odegaard’s injury, his third of the season already…

So unlucky again. He went knee to knee and felt straight away something was not right. Let’s assess him and see how bad the injury is. He has been very, very unlucky.

Source: BBC Match of the Day

Saka on matching Thierry Henry as the second Arsenal player to score on his 200th appearance…

He has every record this guy. It’s really nice for me, he’s always messaging me, he messaged this morning to remind me that we lost the last two games against West Ham at home. He’s always pushing me. I think he wants me there with him, so it’s nice to have that encouragement from him. Of course, me, I want it as well, I’m really happy to have my name on these records, I’m going to keep pushing and try and get some team trophies which we’ve been searching for. 

Source: Sky Sports

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Arteta on Calafiori’s roaming…

A lot of dynamism, sometimes a bit chaotic but I think his dynamism and the spaces and the situations that he can create are very difficult to control for the opponent, especially against a team that is very well-organised. You have to disrupt their organisation in order to create chances and I think we’ve done that really well.

Source: Post-game press conference

Saka on building his fitness…

I’m feeling good that I’ve got the 90 minutes out of the way now. Towards the end, I’m a bit tired if I’m honest, but that’s normal. But, yeah, I’m happy to get the 90 minutes in my legs and get a win and go away to England, because I’ve had to miss a lot of games for the national team too. So, I’m happy to be back there.

Source: Arsenal.com

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Arteta on his 300th game in charge…

Very proud – it is a big number for this football club. I want to thank everybody, especially my coaching staff who have been with me since day one. Without them, it’s impossible, first of all, to do the job and secondly to enjoy it, so I know that I have the best people in the world around me. Also the players and the staff that have been with me since day one, supporting, helping me to be a better coach, to learn from them, to inspire me and to enjoy the good moments as well. I wanted to celebrate it with a win, I’ve got it. Now we have an international break to enjoy it and use the time as well to prepare because what’s coming before the next break is going to be really difficult again.

Source: Post-game press conference

Ian Wright on Arsenal’s title challenge…

I think there’s a different feel simply because the squad’s a lot better than the last few squads. He’s assembled a proper squad now. It’s all going to come down to selections in respect of winning games. I thought that was a good game to win. Everyone went in confident. It’s a game Arsenal expected to win and one they have to have got. This is the season – if [Arteta’s] going to do it [win the Premier League], this should be the one. He’s got all the pieces to do it now.

Source: premierleague.com

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Glenn Hoddle on the only thing Arsenal are missing…

He [Arteta] has got the equipment to win the league, there is no doubt about it. They have got good defenders, they can defend as a team and they have offensive players and creators too. The only missing link at the moment is a no9 that is going to put the ball in the back of the net, time and time again. Gyokeres might end up like that, I don’t know, I think that is the only question mark there.

Source: premierleague.com (via Metro)