Every word Mikel Arteta said on Bukayo Saka injury, Martinelli sub and Arsenal goal difference

Was that the perfect night?

A great night. A really difficult place to come. The way we started made a difference. We were really aggressive and positive and we showed real quality in the final third to take the game into a great position for us. Then we maintained the rhythm, maintained the hunger and I love that about the team.

Was Saka’s substitution tactical?

No he was feeling a bit sick. As well we have Fabio who we needed to give minutes. It was a great opportunity. Then we had a little issue with Gabi Martinelli. He had a slight cut in his foot. We need to wait and see how it is.

How important is goal difference going to be now in this title race?

We don’t know. The fact that we’re scoring many goals and [not] conceding is a great sign, but it’s about winning every game now. That’s the demands these two teams have set over the past few years and that’s the task ahead of us.

Is peaking at this time what you were building up to in the summer?

Yes for sure and obviously picking the right players that could bring something that we didn’t have to the squad. They’re certainly doing that. Also improving every player and the mechanisms and the culture around the team. They are doing that but it’s still the most important part of the season ahead that’s for sure.

William Saliba had more passes than the Sheffield United team combined. How do you manage that?

Well trying to improve in every phase of play. And the understanding and the chemistry of the players and the desire of the players to improve in every area. If you do that there are moments that you can be as dominant. But it’s not easy for sure.

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