Every word Mikel Arteta said on Arsenal win, Saka and Odegaard, Gyokeres, Dowman and Eze

Mikel Arteta faced the media after his side battered Leeds United 5-0 at Emirates Stadium. It was a celebration of great football, great goals and great transfer announcements as Eberechi Eze was revealed to fans.

That energy carried on into the game and five goals later the Gunners are top of the table on goal difference. Viktor Gyokeres and Jurrien Timber scored two each and Bukayo Saka netted the other.

However, injuries suffered by Saka and Martin Odegaarddid put a cloud over the win. We heard from Arteta after the match in his post-match press conference and here is everything that was heard:

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Great result, great win, dream start to the season, huh?

Great, exactly how we wanted to start the first game. We won in a really convincing way. You could sense something, especially in the atmosphere already before the match. I think we have to be very proud of the way we played, the way we dominated the game. Not conceding any shots, almost, and the clean sheet. And on top of that, a lot of good moments. Viktor scoring his first two goals for the club. Thrilled and delighted for Jurrien after a long time injuring his ankle and the hours that he's put in with all the physios and the medical department to score two goals at the Emirates. Very special. And then Mosquera making his debut as well for the club. And then one of the highlights, without any question of a doubt, was Max coming in at 15 making his debut and winning a penalty. So very proud.

Just on Viktor’s contribution, you've played so long with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, those strikers that like to drop in a bit and help you build up. He's very different. Do you feel like your team are adapting now to him as a centre-forward?

Yeah, that will help us to evolve and find other ways of attacking teams and connecting with each other. And it's clear where Viktor is really dangerous, what’s his a superpower. And let's put him as much as possible in those kinds of scenarios because something will happen.

Talk about the energy in the stadium, right from Ebere’s presentation to Max winning the penalty. How important is having that, I guess, genuine excitement in the stadium when you're talking about going to a new level as a team?

Well, that's what we mean, going to a new level. And challenging, again, for the prices that we're going to do that. It's going to require something else. And today I saw something else in the stadium. It was another enthusiasm, positivity, the way they lived the game. I loved it, and hopefully, we give them a lot of reason to continue like that.

And can I just ask about Martin and Bukayo? How are they doing? What were their issues?

Those are the negatives of the day. So Martin felt something in his shoulder when he landed. We don't know. We'll have to scan him tomorrow and understand a bit better. And Bukayo, while he was running with the ball, carrying the ball, wrestling with the defender, he felt something in his hamstring. So let's see. I think it's the other one. It's not the same one as the previous injury. But yeah, I mean, we've been two weeks and we already lost Kai, Martin and Bukayo. So it tells you how well-equipped you have to be in this league to manage and to maintain the level that we want.

I was just going to ask about Bukayo. He looked very upset and distraught. So does it look serious or is it precautionary?

I don't know. He felt something while he was sprinting. That's never a good sign. We'll have to wait tomorrow. Speak to the doctors as well and understand better what he does. But he's had these injuries before. He knows exactly the feeling of that. So let's wait.

It's a good job you've got so many players in already.

Well, that's all we need. I think the other way is not realistic. To survive at the levels that we want for 10 months. Because none of the other top teams in the league do it. So why are we going to be different? They still have even bigger squads than we have. So that's the minimum that we can have to compete and be able to do what we want.

Can I ask you about Ebere Eze? How delighted you must be to get such a top player? Just talk about how the transfer happened. How much of a surprise were you?

One of the fastest, I would say. And one of the most probably unexpected. But it showed an incredible determination. Starting from ownership, starting with Josh. And then all the boards to recognise that we had to act. It was our choice, obviously. But it was serious. And that shows the level of determination. And how much we want to take this club to a different level. So, delighted to have him. The talent is unquestionable. He's experienced in this league. The personality, unbelievable. I mean, very, very... Not surprised, but I would say gladly witnessing everything that he's about. And his family as well. So they have the rightfulness to this club. And you can tell that what happened on that pitch means the world to him.

Just on that, Mikel. The presentation on the pitch just before the team walk out. You felt the energy in the stadium. Was that something that you just... Did you have to agree to do that? Because obviously you've got a game to prepare for. But it really worked in the team's favour.

I agreed, but I was getting no news today on the phone. So I thought it wasn't happening. But at the last minute, again, they managed to pull it [off]. So, well done to everybody who was involved in that deal. Because I think it started to create some flames, some fire in the stadium. That was great to witness.

Obviously, Max has been impressive during pre-season. But it's another step coming on in the Premier League. How much did you have to think about that? How exciting is it for you and the team that he's able to perform like that in a full stadium?

Well, this is what we say every single day in training. And I think we just gathered information about how he handles certain situations in terms of training, being in the squad and not being selected afterwards in Manchester, coming on the bench and feeling ready. But again, a big compliment to his family. As well, I think they’ve raised a kid with a level of maturity, stability and hunger that is very difficult to see. And obviously, to the academy. Credit to all the coaches involved in that journey. Because there is a kid here that has zero hesitation. He's so convinced that he can go at 15 and deliver that, which I've never witnessed in my life. And for us, it brings joy, it brings emotion and something else that makes our jobs so great.

Mikel, is there a slight change, in a good way, about the club? I kind of feel that in previous seasons, if the ground had seen Odegaard and Saka going off in the same game at the start of the season, there would almost be a feeling that the challenge was over. They were that important. But now you have so much talent. You have Eze, who could come in. The way Nwaneri came in. Is it a different feel now, maybe not quite as much reliance on style players?

Well, you just have to see the evolution and the way the team played, the amount of minutes that the team played in 2023-24. You can name the team, starting at 11. Last year, it was a bit different because of the amount of injuries we had as well. And the start has not been great in that sense. But we are much more equipped, without a doubt. And it's necessary. If you want to compete at this level and be very dominant, there is not any other option.

You had some really nice words to say about Leeds tonight, before the game. How difficult did they make it for you in that first half an hour? And ultimately, I know it's not your concern, but do you think they'll be OK this season?

I think so. And very complimentary of them. I spoke to them. And what I love is they're going to maintain that philosophy that they were playing on Monday. They are super impressive. We all know the stadium and the people that they have right behind them. And I'm sure they're going to be fine.

Just one quick last one on Eze. Is it that kind of X factor that he's got that is the most exciting thing for you? And also, just a really basic question, where are you going to play him?

The first one, without a doubt. I think he has the capacity to create these magic moments. He can do it from different positions, different situations. He's got that flair, he's got that charisma as well about him that is very contagious. And they're using it the right way. He can play different positions. We know he can play as an attacking midfielder, right or left. He doesn't care. He plays shifted off the left as well. He's very comfortable there as well. We'll gather information again the moment he's on that pitch and starts to link and feel connection with people. I'm sure we will find the right place for him.