"Of course, the players were really up for it and focused. At the end we needed to be patient. You have to give credit to Ipswich over the two games, they defended with great attitude and great spirit and we needed tonight to be mature, calm, patient and of course not concede a goal. The fact we have stabilised our defensive record helped us to qualify."
"It meant a lot for the squad, for the team, and I must say they deserved to be rewarded because they have an outstanding attitude and spirit. They are on a natural development process and overall I think that in the last four games we scored three goals in every single game and conceded one so we are efficient on both sides. It was important to continue to believe, not to rush our game and not become nervous. We did that very well."
On the desire his team showed...
"This team is hungry for success, I said that many times. You could see that. We kept going, we refused to show any weakness and overall I think an average team against Ipswich being 1-0 down would not have qualified."
On the improvement of Championship teams...
"We played Leeds and Ipswich and in fairness the Championship has improved a lot in the last five, six years. Physically they do not weaken at all, they keep going and when we analyse the physical performance of Ipswich they are at the level of the Premier League, no problem."
On his half-time message...
"I told them to keep our priorities right, that is continue to defend well and not expose ourselves too much by rushing our game. We needed to be calm, patient, even if we had to go into the last 20 minutes. We had to continue to believe in our game."
On putting the Carling Cup on ice for now...
"We want to go for all the competitions, I have said that for a long time. That is one of the big targets. We have learned something from Leeds and Ipswich, and that is you have to be 100 per cent focused because we play Huddersfield on Sunday at the Emirates, so to be capable to focus on that game will be vital for us."
On Nicklas Bendtner's performance...
"We rotate, I rotate from game to game because we play nine games in January and we played eight or nine in December as well. I show them as well that I have confidence in every player, no matter how big the game is. Of course sometimes when a player has not played for a few weeks, when he comes in he is not 100 per cent, but after a few games Bendtner is getting sharper and sharper."
On Bendtner's goal...
"It was a great goal, yes, with a great ball from Wilshere as well. He had an outstanding game tonight. I must say I enjoyed the corner as well because we score so few goals from corners, for me it is fantastic."
On Koscielny's goal celebration...
"Maybe [it means] his girlfriend is pregnant? I don't know. Something like that."
On being aware of Man Utd's win at Blackpool...
"Not really. I thought before the game that they would get three points tonight. I have heard that at 2-0 Blackpool had a penalty turned down. But I see from your smiles that you are not surprised. But for us it was a perfect night. I am convinced that our season depends on our performances, on our results and our consistency, so overall we do not have to focus on Man United or anyone else. We are a team that has taken off a while ago and is consistent now. It is important for us to go from strength to strength. If we are capable of doing that we have a chance. Man United will be a very tough opponent but we have a good chance if we continue going from strength to strength."
On the importance of winning a trophy...
"I don't know. You could see in Cesc's attitude that he's hungry for it and overall I still believe that Cesc is a winner, a born winner who wants to win every day on the training pitch. It has a lot of meaning for him."
On the transfer window...
"Transfer-wise there is no news and I would be surprised if there is any."
Source: Arsenal.com on 25 Jan 11
No comments:
Post a Comment