Every word Mikel Arteta said on Saka class, Lewis-Skelly display, Jesus form and Arsenal win

Thoughts on the game?

Very happy with the win and the clean sheet. We had to change a few players and players that who haven’t played that much and they put us in a really good position in the group.

Are you at all surprised by how Saka has stepped up in the CL?

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He keeps surprising us. That’s what he wants to do. That’s the quality that he has, that’s the ambition that he has and how he’s preparing himself every day. I’m not surprised, but it’s very difficult to do what he’s doing.

What did you make of Myles’ game?

Really proud moment. He’s one of our own, 18-years-old and he makes his debut starting in the Champions League. It’s just a joy to watch him and a privilege to give a chance to somebody to start to change his career. He certainly took the chance. It’s great that we can trust him and that he can play in this environment with this level. I was really happy with his performance.

Did the finishing let you down tonight?

We should have scored four or five in the first half. It wasn’t the case. Then this is Champions League, the level of opposition is really high. The way they create chaos because they have so many players inside and the moment you are not neat in the first two or three passes you can give possession to them. We want to overcome that situation. After scoring that second goal it came in the right moment. Overall very positive.

A lot has been made about you having not many players who’ve played in this competition…

And a manager who never managed in this competition.

Do you feel established now in the CL?

I think we are enjoying our run and we’re learning. There is a lot to take. We need much more and we need to go through certain moments and I’m sure we will. But the fact that we can compete against any team is the positive thing to take especially in this competition.

Is Saka on a level with Harry Kane and Vini Jr. right now despite his age?

You have to be able to do that consistently for many years to be in that position. What he’s done at his age you can put it in brackets because you can compare what he’s done in his first six years of professional football - which is exceptional. That’s it. His aim is to improve. He has the players and the environment around to continue to do that and I’m sure he will.

Has Lewis-Skelly got a good shot of a run at left back now?

He’s got (one). And he’s been in contention. In pre-season he opened our eyes to say ‘I’m ready’. The same with Ethan. They feel comfortable in this environment and they can compete not just play which is very important at this level. Today he’s show that he’s at the level.

Is it a confidence thing for Jesus and what can you do to help him?

Nothing, just put him in front of goal in situations like we have today. They are millimetres, sometimes centimetres to decide if the ball goes in. He was alive and created the first goal by creating a great movement. That’s him. We have him, we have him back and I’m sure he’ll contribute to the team.

How can you help them finish?

We have a massive responsibility. I cannot kick the ball. We can teach them, and sometimes we have to take a step back. It is a decision they have to take. They cannot be thinking what they have to do and what we have to told them. We try to give them the right information and the tools. After that, it is their execution and it is a difficult thing to do in football, but we have a lot of talent.

Is Saka an example to the young players to play 60 or 70 games a season?

That has been an evolution. He wasn’t able to do that at 17, 18 or 19. But he has developed in the right way, mentally, physically, his condition, and his preparation, now he has got the habit to play every three days and he is consistently doing that at the highest level. He will continue to do that and for the youngest players, for the old ones, and for all of us he is a great example because how he behaves daily and because with what he wants to do, which is to have his best version every day, and continue to improve and that’s it.