How are these North London Derby weeks treating you, and how important is this game?
It’s fantastic. That is why we have come here to play these games. It’s one of the most important games of the season for us. We understand how much it means to us at the table, as well as to our people. But we’ll have to concentrate on playing well and doing what we need to do to win the game.
How long does the defeat in May linger?
That was the outcome of the performance, which was the context of what happened in that game. There’s a lot to learn and a lot to take away from that. We didn’t win there, so that’s the challenge we face now.
How much better prepared are you now for an environment like that?
We’re in a different league, but we’ll have to prove it by playing the way we want to. How much attention is being paid to your players as a result of the FA charges? I’d rather not comment on that. With the spotlight on your team’s recent behavior, will they have to err on the side of caution on Sunday? I’d rather not comment on that. Will you have a discussion with your players about it? Anything we can do to improve, we will always discuss with our players and staff to see what we can do better (and if we need to change any behavior). What’s the most recent news on Mudryk? *Smiles* You are aware that we cannot discuss any other players. There is some interest in what we would like to do to improve the team because we are short in certain areas and have picked up injuries. We are attempting, and as a club We are attempting to improve in all areas. What did you think of him this morning on social media? I’ll show you how good I am on the phone. How is Jesus progressing? He’s making good progress, working hard, and is on track to meet the deadline we set for him, but he’s still a little behind. Do you think he’ll be back before the end of the season? I’d like to see him right away, but I doubt it will happen. With that one, we’ll have to be patient. But let’s wait and see. It’s a complicated surgery, and there are always a lot of things to be cautious of in any surgery. He’s a player who will strive to be extremely quick on the pitch. How did Emile Smith Rowe’s comeback go? It was wonderful to see him again. After four months, it’s his first minutes. He worked so hard to get to where he is today, and now we need to give him more playing time because he is such an important player for us. What do you remember about the North London Derby? Emotional. Extremely passionate. It’s an incredible feeling to be on that pitch and feel the tension, support, and atmosphere around you. It doesn’t get much better than winning. How does this North London Derby compare to the last one at the Emirates? That is the challenge we face. We must defeat them at their own game. That’s how we’ve set up the game. What do you expect Spurs to do at home? I’m not sure. They sometimes approach games in different ways. They occasionally allow you to create the game, and they have a variety of tools to use to create various problems. Let’s see, we need to give the game time to develop. We will prepare for the game in every way possible, and then it will be up to the players to do their jobs on the field. Do you prepare the team differently when they are away from home? Is there a difference in approach? We prepare for each game differently because each game brings new challenges and opportunities, and each team is in a different stage of development. We obviously have a style of play, but within that we talk and discuss various things in relation to the opponent. Are you able to appreciate the drama? In preparation, most likely not, because we need to focus on what we do and give it our full attention and detail. Once there, you realize the significance of the moment, and it is, in my opinion, one of the best things to do. Recognize how fortunate we are to be in this position and have the ability to influence the game. Have you talked to the players about the cauldron atmosphere? We prepare each game differently and discuss topics that, in our opinion, are relevant to how the game might develop. So that’s what came up? We talk about them once a week. What kind of message would a victory send? I’m not sure. We didn’t consider sending messages; instead, we focused on performance, playing well, and earning the right to win the game. That is what we must do, and the best way to do it is to concentrate on it. We have no control over the rest. I’m not sure what the rest of the world thinks of us, how they analyze us; we just have to focus on what we can do. How do you relieve the players’ stress? We simply face the challenge and opportunity that lie ahead of us, and we know where we stand. At Arsenal, nothing less than winning football matches every three days is expected. That is the demand we have as a club, and every single member of the staff is aware of it. The weekly and daily challenge is to improve and win the game. It makes no difference who you play against. Is Saka all right? I believe he will be fine. Do players like Saka require protection? It’s something we’ve talked about numerous times. I believe that referees have a responsibility to protect the game in general, and they do their best to do so. Players are always crammed around the referee, so does Arsenal’s charge surprise you? I prefer not to comment on that point. Do you think you’ve changed since Conte’s comments last season? I’m not sure. I try to be myself all the time, to be honest, and to respect what other people have to say because they have the right to an opinion. As if I don’t have an opinion. Are the next few weeks critical for the season? Every week in this league is challenging and difficult, and you can see that when you don’t expect certain results. So looking too far ahead in the calendar or making some games harder than others doesn’t work in this league. Changing your ‘game by game’ strategy? I corrected it. It’s now train by train. It’s not about the games, but about the next training session. Are the players under duress? I believe the players are in good emotional condition. They are ecstatic, they are having fun playing together, and we are clearly in a good position. We must now improve and maintain many of the good things that have brought us this far. What would a win do for Spurs’ mental health? We’ve had quite a few in recent years. We haven’t won in some places in 15, 17, or 20 years. We would have preferred to complete everything at once, but we were unable to do so. So we have a fantastic opportunity to complete that task on Sunday. READ ALSO: Mykhaylo Mudryk has given major Kylian Mbappe advice ahead of a move to Arsenal or Chelsea. Arsenal’s hidden benefit of acquiring Mykhaylo Mudryk will elevate the club for years to come. Tottenham vs. Arsenal combined XI: Kane and Saka start amid Romero speculation and a decision on Partey Inter joins AC Milan in the race to sign prolific Arsenal talent Edu, who has set a £34 million asking price. Arsenal transfers and news LIVE: The most recent news, rumors, and gossip from Emirates Stadium.
