Yes, of course, because it was a massive game for us. I heard it enough yesterday in the press conferences to be convinced of it. We responded in a very positive way, even after being down 1-0. We had a fantastic second half and created chance after chance. I am very happy because we kept our composure when we were down 1-0. We kept dominating and playing the football we want to play.
on Gervinho’s performance…
He was always dangerous. I told you yesterday, and many times, that he will be a big player for us. Sometimes the quality of the player is linked with the transfer amount and it is not always the case.
on Wojciech Szczesny’s penalty save…
Yes, that was a turning point of the game because it was at 1-1. You could see mentally it has an impact on their belief and they were not the same team after they missed the penalty.
on whether the result eases pressure…
I feel, of course, it will because we have been a little bit under pressure. For us not to play in the Champions League and with the players who have left, that pressure would have increased, understandably. Since the beginning of the season I feel a very strong, determined attitude within the team. We did not win at Newcastle but we played with 10 men. We did lose at Liverpool with 10 men but I am convinced that we would not have lost against Liverpool with 11. Overall, there is a strong attitude and spirit inside the team.
on the importance of the win…
It was important today because we were under pressure so it was important to keep calm, composed and not do anything stupid.
on recent criticism…
We live in a society where everybody has an opinion on everything. I'm like somebody who flies a plane for 30 years and I have to accept that somebody can come into the cockpit and thinks he can fly the plane better than I do. But that is part of our job and we have to accept that. I just would like to say that the Club is in, overall, a very strong position. Tonight, for 14 years on the trot, we play in the Champions League. We have a new stadium, a fantastic training ground, a very good financial situation and a very strong team. Sometimes you have to take a distance a little bit [from the criticism].
on Tomas Rosicky’s introduction…
I felt that we attacked and Udinese played on the counter-attack. I felt that we lacked a little bit of creativity in the middle of the park and needed to be a little bit more creative. Tomas had a big influence in the second half.
Source: Arsenal.com on 24 Aug 11
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