Arsenal made it ten wins on the bounce and eight consecutive clean sheets in all competitions with a 3–0 victory at Slavia Prague.
Bukayo Saka opened the scoring from the spot before Mikel Merino struck twice after the break on a night when 15-year-old Max Dowman became the youngest ever player in the Champions League.
Here’s what the managers, players, pundits and stattos made of the action…
Mikel Arteta on the win…
I’m very happy, it’s a really tough place to come, they haven’t lost a year of the season, and we knew it was going to get really physical, very intense. They are really direct and they provoke a game that is difficult to play, but emotionally I think we handled it really, really well. We were very efficient where we had to be, and we just have to win the game.
Source: TNT Sports
__
Slavia manager Jindrich Trpisovsky…
The first half from us was very good in all aspects, but we could have been a bit more dangerous and taken advantage of some ball recoveries. We applied pressure all over the pitch. Unfortunately, we were losing 0-1 after a penalty, and then at the start of the second half, we made our first big mistake.
Source: UEFA.com
Slavia midfielder Lukas Provod on the game…
We knew that it would be a very difficult game for us but at the beginning it was good. We were defending very well but after the opening goal it was much easier for Arsenal.In the second half we wanted to try to be more dangerous, more aggressive, but yes, of course, Arsenal are so good, they are showing it every week in every game. But I think we put in our best and our maximum.
Source: UEFA.com
__
Christian Norgaard’s assessment…
We knew it was going to be a difficult game. Coming here, the atmosphere is quite intense and the pitch feels small. They play very direct and we found that at times very hard to deal with. But in general, I think we managed the game really well and we also executed in their box very effectively when we had the chance. It was very physical, I think there were a lot of fouls in the game, a lot of throw-ins, a lot of set-pieces. But we were well prepared, I think, for that challenge and important was to come away with three points and also another clean sheet.
Source: TNT Sports
UEFA Technical Observer Group on naming Merino Player of the Match…
Merino played very well between the lines when Arsenal were in possession, worked hard without the ball and showed efficiency in attack, including expert positioning and clinical finishing.
Source: UEFA.com
__
Merino on his goals…
The goal itself might seem easy, but the difficult thing is the ten seconds before the goal when you have to position yourself, when you try not to be marked and use those spaces in the right way. I am very happy to have scored those two goals and helped the team.
Source: UEFA.com
__
Arteta on using Merino as a striker…
My view was always he had really good timing, and capacity to finish in the box, especially one touch. And then talking to him and making sure that he plays closer to the box, and he identifies the opportunities, the timing, the way he needs to attack the spaces in relation to how they defend the box, which today was a bit different as well, the way they set up. And then it’s obviously his quality. his willingness to learn and practise every day.
Source: Post-game press conference
Arteta on record-breaker Dowman…
Max is the youngest ever to feature in a Champions League match and it tells you what incredible form he is in and the potential he has.
Source: UEFA.com
__
Mikel Merino on record-breaker Dowman…
Every time he steps on the grass, he’s just an amazing player to watch. You see him with a flare, with energy and with confidence in his game. It is lovely to see him perform!
Source: UEFA.com
Norgaard on making his first start in the Champions League…
I had one big smile on my face when the anthem went on at the beginning of the game. It’s what dreams are made of and it’s an unbelievable feeling.
Source: TNT Sports
__
Arteta on Jurrien Timber…
Extraordinary. For me, he’s been phenomenal in every department. I think he’s taken his level and the team’s level to a different dimension, against his opponents, the way he penetrates, the way he wins duels, the way he understands the game, the way he wants to make things happen. A big example for the rest of his teammates.
Source: Post-game press conference
Merino on scoring six goals in 13 starts up front…
Yes, it’s not bad. Credit to my teammates. Obviously, this is a team sport, and I’m just trying to feel the role of the number nine, even though I’m not a classic number nine, and I’m not born as a number nine. I’m really, really happy to be helping the team with goals, but also with my hard work, my running, I’m trying to position myself in the right spots. Obviously, with the quality we have in the squad, they pass the ball at the right time in the right spot. I’m there.
Source: TNT Sports
__
Owen Hargreaves on Arsenal’s defensive record
It’s like there’s a force field around Arsenal’s goal.
Source: TNT Sports
The post Post-Slavia Prague quotes round-up: Arteta, Trpisovsky, Merino, Provod, Norgaard & more appeared first on Arseblog News – the Arsenal news site.
Comments
0