Every word Mikel Arteta said on West Ham victory, Gabriel, Calafiori and building momentum

Mikel Arteta addressed the media following his Arsenal side’s emphatic 5-2 away win at West Ham. Thirteen goals in the last three matches have revitalised the Spaniard’s side and form ahead of the midweek clash with Manchester United.

Goals from Gabriel Magalhaes, Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka were the order of the day and despite the threat of a comeback from the home side, Arsenal managed to see out the game. There were some potential prices to be paid though.

Both Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori came at half time and after ten minutes of the second period respectively. Arteta is sure to be questioned on the status of one or both of the players.

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Here is every word from the press conference courtesy of football.london football correspondent Tom Canton who heard from the Arsenal manager.

Thoughts on what was a crazy game that equalled the record for the most goals in a Premier League first half?

I didn’t know that, it tells you how crazy it was, how efficient both teams were in front of the goal. It was a spectacular thirty minutes.

Straight away how much the team wanted it, the purpose, the determination and quality that we deliver to score three great goals in different ways. Then score the fourth one as well in a really great way as well but then after that we had a period where the individual quality of them obviously played a big part, 4-2, and then its game on and you can sense that the energy has changed and then what’s next? I think it was great to score the fifth one as that calmed everything down and we could play a very different game that was much more suited to us.

How’s Gabriel

It was related to the previous injury he had in Lisbon. He did great to be a part of that. With that result and the state he is feeling, we decided to take him off.

How does he compare with some of the great set-piece players you played with?

He has a real belief. The more it happens the more you believe it. You can tell straight away from the body language of the player, how they communicate, that something is coming up. To have various ways of scoring goals makes the team more unpredictable, the opposition have to work on many more things. It’s a good thing for us.

On all players being called in at half-time, what was the reason needing to have everyone in together before the second half?

Yeah, very important. We had an issue with Gabby and then an issue with Ricci as well. Obviously yesterday we lost Thomas [Partey] and Mikel [Merino] and Myles [Lewis-Skelly] which was very bad news but what I am really happy about is Jakub has to come in, he does really well, Alex the same, Jorginho I think he was exceptional. That’s the level, every three days we’re going to need everyone at their best and it’s a good sign the team can do that.

On being able to fully rest Gabriel Martinelli and playing Leandro Trossard from the start?

Yeah and scoring. The fact that they know that everyone is on their toes, everybody has to elevate the level and earn the right to play and when you have the chances the moment to talk. That’s what they are doing.

Is Nicolas Jover on a goal bonus after yet another goal from a set-piece?

That’s a question for him and his contract. I’m not sure, I don’t negotiate the contracts.

Ahead of tomorrow’s big game, how do you feel about how you played in these last three wins?

Yeah, we’ve got some momentum. I think we have some flow back, a real determination, winning consecutive matches against three opponents is great and we’re going to enjoy tonight and watch a beautiful game of football tomorrow.

Do you feel your team have had your bad spell now and coming to the end of the year, producing these wins, is that how you feel?

We are in a great moment right now, but in football be on your toes and prepare the best possible way for tomorrow. Because it is so competitive this league, the opposition that we’re playing every three days, that’s the only thing that you can do. We can analyse a lot of things to improve today, again tomorrow.

A word on Bukayo Saka, his numbers and his game?

Incredible. Because it is the hardest thing to do in football, so a player who can believe in those moments can impact the scoreline in that way, you know, the value of that is tremendous.

Even if the opponent doesn’t know it, he continues to do it and that’s a credit to him.

On Saka’s fitness?

He’s fine.

Clarification on Calafiori’s fitness?

Well, he’s been dealing with little niggles in the last few weeks, obviously, he’s had a very serious knee injury and he’s doing really well but we have to manage his minutes. Today we have to do the same.