Mikel Arteta was back in front of the cameras on Monday for another press conference as we prepare to go to Chelsea.

Our head coach discussed our last game against the Blues, the January transfer window, Eddie Nketiah and more.



Read on for a full transcript:

on what he’s learned about his team since the last game against Chelsea…

Well, a lot of things happened and it seems longer than a month to be fair with the amount of games, days that we trained and the amount of things that happened. Yes, a lot of things changed, a lot of positives that I am finding in terms of reactions and the things that they are taking onboard. We have managed to change, a little bit, the energy and the atmosphere and the relationship and the chemistry with our fans, which was massively important for us. So yes, in terms of results, it could have been a little bit different. I think we've been very unlucky and there are other aspects as well which have influenced that but in general, yes.

on scoring first in the last five games but only winning two of them...

The way we conceded, I think with the last two goals as well, was a little bit hurting. We have to try to make a difference when we are first on the scoreline, we need to have the ambition still to score the second and the third goal, where we had the opportunities to do so. And in the final moments, in the Premier League, the game is never closed.

on Eddie Nketiah and how big his role can be...

Well, it will depend on the circumstances: the players we have available, his performance, the way he trains, the impact that he makes every time he plays. He's a young player but I have to treat him exactly the same as the other ones. I put him on the pitch because I think he deserved it, the way he trained, the way he's showing every day how much he wants it and it will depend on him.

on Lacazette saying we were 'naive' and need to be 'nastier'...

Yes, I think it's part of game management. I think there are things that we could have done better there to put more pressure on the opponent, to bring the ball into certain areas where we can rest with the ball and we can control the game better. That will come, it's a good process for us as well to learn about those situations.

on whether it's difficult to convince players things are going in the right direction...

I don't have that feeling. I think the feedback I'm getting from them is more positive. They know, when we haven't won, the reasons why and that there are many different aspects to that we can influence or not influence. They are there and they are very aware of that.

on what he learned about his team from the previous Chelsea game...

It's different from then to now. I loved the first 30 to 35 minutes and the way we went about it. How aggressive we were, how much we wanted to attack them and put them under pressure - it's the kind of way that we wanted to play. After that, we had a little bit of a setback. They changed the system and we found it a little bit more difficult to deal with that. We started to defend deep without really conceding anything, and had some great opportunities on the break as well. I think physically for us in that moment it was harder for us to maintain the same amount of energy. Against Chelsea, that's vital.

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on whether that's how we'll approach Tuesday's game...

It doesn't matter where we go, my ambition is to go anywhere and win playing our way. We want to go with the same direction every time and with the same intention.

on whether this is a must-win game for top-four hopes...

It's really important. It's very, very important for us to win this game to fight for that. Also, the game we played at home, it could have made a big difference and we were very close to it. Tomorrow we need to win.

on whether any arrivals are close to joining...

Things haven't moved at all since the weekend.

on links with Layvin Kurzawa...

There is nothing new to say on any individual players. When we have more info, we'll let you know.

on whether we could go through January without bringing anyone in...

It's a possibility, yes.

on whether he would be unhappy not to sign anyone...

I would not be unhappy without anyone in because we couldn't, it's because the players have to be players who can really help us and make a difference in the squad, not just [signing] for the sake of bringing in players.

on the race for the top four...

Everyone is having a lot of problems to put together back-to-back wins, he league has been very competitive this season and that is why the gaps aren't that big. There are still four months to play and a lot of things can happen, a lot of games between the top teams as well so I think that will change.

on whether the league or the Europa League is our best bet this season...

We don't know at the moment, for me the only way to do it is to work every single day to improve those players and to make them feel comfortable on the pitch and with the ideas that we are putting together. Get every performance as good as we can, and that will take us as closer to every game. To look further than that is difficult and unrealistic.

on whether Martinelli is going with Brazil or not...

It is something we are discussing in the club at the moment and with Gabi as well. When we know something, we will let you know.

on watching back the Chelsea game from last month...

We always watch our matches afterwards and obviously when you play in a short time you have to see the things that happened and the reasons why. I think we can improve things that we did well, so of course we will review it.