Mikel Arteta was a happy man after we started our pre-season programme in Singapore with a dominant 1-0 win over AC Milan.
Bukayo Saka scored the only goal of the game in the second-half, and there was further reason for the local supporters to cheer as new signings Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martin Zubimendi all made impressive debuts. Teenage duo Marli Salmon and Max Dowman – both still 15 – also tasted first-team action for the first time.
After the game Arteta met the media at the Singapore National Stadium where he was asked about the performance, the new players, the acdemy, Kai Havertz and more. Here’s a full transcript from his post-match press conference:
On Bukayo’s performance today:
Yeah, we’re all very happy with the performance, especially with the attitude, the quality, the determination that we showed throughout the game. Obviously to win as well, and yeah, regarding individuals, he was at a really good level, Bukayo is one of them, we have pushed him through the summer as well, to catch up on other things that he had to, to give himself the best chance to explore his qualities, which are better and more highlighted, and with more impact than physically, at the highest level
On Max Dowman’s appearance:
Yes, I’m very happy with all the kids, I think they are able to play at that level, with 15 years old, in my opinion, because of the environment, and the culture that is within the team, and when somebody makes you feel so comfortable, so confident, straight away you can go and do it. Obviously it gives you the best chance, you have to have the qualities that this kid has.
On finishing the match with four academy graduates on the pitch:
It’s very good. It’s a lot of work, in our academy, all the coaches, people involved, and it’s a moment to give opportunities, to reward them, and they certainly took the chance today, in difficult circumstances, against a very big team. It’s incredible how, at 15 years old, they can perform at that level.
On Kai Havertz pre-season preparation:
Yeah, he’s in a very good place, I think the game that he had, I think he was in three or four times, he was completely free, and the ball arrived to him, his workrate, what he offers to the team, it’s top. So, he scored against Watford, today he was very close a couple of times as well, overall very happy with him.
On the absence of Gabriel and Timber:
Jurrien is still not there, he’s not fully trained yet with us, and Gabi had a little niggle the other day in training, and because of the fact that he’s been out for so long as well, we have to manage him, I mean, we’ve been in Spain, different pitch, different conditions, go to the UK, different ones come here, and there are a lot of changes, so we have to minimise the risk with him.
On today’s atmosphere in Singapore:
Yeah, I would love to have a full stadium, unfortunately, it wasn’t the case, but when they’ve been around the team, they’ve always been extremely supportive, and, yeah, I hope to play the next games here at home.
On potentially seeing new arrivals on the tour:
You know that, I’m not going to speak about certain players that are not with us yet.
On the plan for Max Dowman next season:
No, we don’t know, with all the young kids at the end, they are in and around the team constantly, and they are really used to the dynamics, the demands, and especially raising the physical levels, because the demands, and actually to be able to perform and impact the game at that level, it demands really, really high physical standards, and they are getting that, and that gives them another platform, and then they will have to earn it.
On Ethan Nwaneri’s impact:
Well, really good, I think yes, right away after a few holidays, those kids, they come back from the summer, and they look different already, they look more mature, they have a better presence and Ethan certainly, he’s been training really hard, they only had a couple of training sessions with us, so for him just to be able to play 45 minutes in that interval, is a really positive thing, and the same with Marli, the same with Josh, so really happy with all of them.
On the pre-season plan with the team:
Yeah, there’s always things to improve, and try to find that cohesion, within the players, and share the minutes, and everybody has to step up a level, we know that, and we’re certainly in a good direction.
Arsenal.com
