In the quarter-final of the English League Cup, Arsenal managed to advance to the semi-finals with a thrilling 3-2 home victory. After the match, Arsenal coach Arteta faced the media, analyzed the match in depth and responded to the reporters' questions.
Arteta couldn't hide his joy at the victory: "It's very exciting that we made it to the semi-finals. The early part of the game was not what we had planned, and an accidental goal put us at a disadvantage, but the team showed great resilience. Even though we didn't have enough offensive threat in the first half and only created two or three chances, after adjusting our strategy in the second half, we regained the rhythm of the game and our sense of threat increased significantly."
Speaking about Gabriel Jesus' outstanding performance, Arteta was full of praise: "He was in a goal drought for a long time, and today he scored three solo goals, showing his sharp attacking tools. I think it's very fortunate for him and the team to have such a strong player. Likewise, unconventional starters like Kieran (Tierney) have proved their worth."
On the importance of the League Cup for the team, Arteta emphasized, "It's not only an opportunity to compete for trophies, but it's also a strong boost for the Christmas period. Winning games in difficult situations and the persistence of the starting line-up kept the momentum going and our victory was a sign of overcoming the odds. I'm delighted with that and it will go a long way towards Saturday's game."
On Jesus' key role in the second half of the season, Arteta believes, "He has a unique creativity that can revolutionize situations. Gabi being at this level is a great asset for us."
Confronted with the reasons for the adjustments to the lineup, Arteta said, "I think these adjustments are appropriate for the team, especially for the players who didn't have many chances to play, and who earned their chance to play with their attitude, behavior and training, which made them feel that they deserved what they paid for. I am very happy with that."
On Jesus' future performances, Arteta emphasized the importance of maintaining continuity: "It was a shining moment and it will be a huge boost to his confidence. We need to capitalize on this opportunity and give him more games."
Talking about the dependence of Saka and Ödgö, Arteta said, "They are our best players, but we rely on the whole team. Many players have had great performances and can change the game and help the team."
Regarding Tierney's situation, Arteta revealed that he had cramps rather than an injury. Regarding Tierney's performance as a winger, Arteta believes it's just a matter of letting each player excel, something the team needs to continue to learn.
Finally, on the reaction to Odego's substitution against Everton and whether Jesus' hat-trick would have made Saturday's line-up choices easier, Arteta expressed his satisfaction and said he wanted to cherish tonight's win.
