on the victory…
In the first half I believe we had the chances. In the second half we were caught straight away losing the ball in our own half and they scored. From then on of course they tested us. The more experienced players then took charge of the game, especially Arshavin, Park and Benayoun - they made the difference.
I have to congratulate the team because we had two young full-backs who are usually central players. In midfield we were very young and we have shown good spirit against a good Bolton side.
on tiredness...
In the last 20 minutes our legs had gone a little bit and we were hanging on with a bit of luck. Many players have not played at that level and that intensity so it was vital for us tonight not to go into extra time.
on Vermaelen's return…
He did very well. He had to come off for a minor calf problem but I hope it's not too bad. He will be a bit short for Saturday, I don't know yet what I will do. We have to test him tomorrow, but it doesn't look too bad.
He has been out for a long time, he had only one training session yesterday with the team. I didn't really expect a game of that intensity, it was a tough one for a centre-back. They put us under pressure in the second half and the intensity of the game was very high.
We don't think it is a calf strain, it is just tight calves. He has not played a proper game for two months. He wanted to come off. In fairness I did not want to take him off because I thought it was too stupid now with four minutes to go to concede a goal. He was adamant he couldn't go on so I hope it's not too bad.
on a run of form…
We want to just keep going and I think it is down to us to change the mind of people. We have a good spirit, a good attitude and there is still some room for improvement of course. We are getting better and better.
on Arshavin's performance…
Andrey is a player who of course takes a bit gamble on nearly every ball he plays. Sometimes he loses balls he shouldn't lose but when you look at the end of the game he has always had a big impact. Tonight he scored and made an assist. He had a good performance tonight.
on his 'no 10' credentials...
You cannot play with two wingers and two offensive players like that, you are too short in midfield. He is normally a wide player but he wants to grow in a role behind the striker. Of course, he can do that. He plays where you want him to play but if you ask him honestly he will always tell you that he likes to play in there.
on Park's display…
For me I am very pleased with his performance. He had a very, very good game. He has shown intelligence in his link play with others. The quality of his movement was exceptional and his finishing is absolutely fantastic. He has shown tonight that he is a very, very good player. He is ready to play in league games, yes.
Compared to the player who played in the first match [against Shrewsbury] where he was a bit inhibited, tonight I felt he played with freedom and has showed what a good player he is.
on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain…
He needs what I told you: the urgency that is used to dominate the games. Now he is at a level where every single ball needs 100 per cent concentration and fight, and that is what he will learn in these games.
on Chelsea…
We had 11 changes from Sunday's game so of course we will have many changes for Saturday. It's a top-level game, that means we need to turn up with a top-level performance. I am confident we can get something out of the game. You can fly but you land quickly in our sport. We of course want to keep improving. Don't worry, we will go there with spirit and give them a fight.
on Fabianski…
Lukasz is a world-class goalkeeper. I have always said that and I am convinced that we are very lucky here to have fantastic goalkeepers - Mannone as well is very good. The problem is when you are a goalkeeper only one can play.
on Ryo's performance…
Ryo is a guy with heart. I don't think he played long enough and we were in a position where we had to defend more than we could attack. But you could see straight away that his heart, his determination and his pace in the game are big assets.
He is like Oxlade-Chamberlain - they have to get used to the intensity of these games. When will he be ready? He just had one day training yesterday with the group because he was injured. He worked a lot with the fitness coach. I believe he will be ready at Christmas.
Source: Arsenal.com on 25 Oct 11
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