Every word Mikel Arteta said on Gabriel injury, Timber risk, disallowed Arsenal goal and Van Dijk

Are you disappointed with the result?

Very proud of the team, especially with the situation we are going through at the moment - probably you cannot imagine. I think in the first half it was total domination, we were really good, really dominant, really efficient and the result probably should have been bigger.

Without conceding nothing basically we gave two goals away. That’s the really frustrating part, and that we couldn’t see the game out, especially looking at ourselves and two things that we didn’t do in certain aspects.

What did you make of the disallowed goal at the end?

I prefer not to comment.

How big an impact did the changes at the back make?

I don’t know. It’s what it is. We had five injuries in the back line. We have to adapt to it and we will continue to adapt. It’s the situation that we have. Support them and praise the players because the courage again today was unbelievable and keep going.

How do you view the point in the circumstances?

I’m very disappointed that we haven’t won the game today. I think we were better. In two things that we had to do a bit better we didn’t. And some other stuff obviously.

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What does Saka fighting back from injury tell you about his consistency?

It tells you he’s been very consistent. He’s been very lucky with injuries *knocks on wood* hopefully that continues. After a few weeks off the way he played and competed was exceptional. I think we had some big, big performances from the team.

Did you take a risk on Jurrien’s fitness and did it backfire?

I think we’ve done everything we could to accelerate that process. He was so willing. The team and the medical staff have done a great job. We gave ourselves the chance to compete. I don’t know the extent of the injury if there is one. The same with big Gabi. Continue to go.

Should Van Dijk have been sent off?

I haven’t seen the replay.

What was the issue with Gabriel?

I don’t know but he could not run. I don’t know what happened. I don’t know if it’s the knee joint or the ankle. They’re assessing him now so *touches wood*.

Did you think it should have been a penalty in the first half?

Prefer not to comment.

Do you feel like nothing is going for you at the moment?

No. This is football. Circumstances are making us better. If we are able to be where we are and compete in the manner that we do. I see the team and I have no doubts. I think I told you three days before that we are going to be flying on Sunday and we started flying and were the better team by far. We needed to get the points today to make a reflection of where we are and where we want to be. We couldn’t do it but for sure we are there.

Are your second half drops in energy a consequence of playing with 10 men so frequently?

I don’t know. I’m more disappointed and frustrated about one thing that we didn’t do that we had to do in the second half. But beyond the physical part we look at all the stats. The stats are not dropping. We have better starts in many games individually in the second half. Some positives like Mikel for example hasn’t played 90 minutes for five months probably since the Euros. So a lot of positive things to take and carry on going.

How relevant is the five point gap to City?

You don’t want to be in that position. You want to be five points ahead but this is where we are. The team is alive, the team wants it. I feel it every single day. The players that cannot play, they are upset that they are not playing. The ones getting injured, the ones that are there they are in a good moment. Things will turn up and we are going to be in a better place. But we are certainly there.

Have you been told what the goal was disallowed for?

No there is nothing.

Will you ask?

I’m sure we’ll get a letter afterwards but I don’t know.

What was the one thing you didn’t do well?

I keep that for myself sorry.