Unai Emery cut a slightly frustrated figure after our 1-1 draw with Wolves at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Our head coach was asked about Bernd Leno's performance, how he tried to change things at the interval and Matteo Gunedouzi's influence.
Here is a transcript of his post-match press conference:
on a tough hard-fought point…
Good evening. Yes, we know they are very competitive team and also organised and good on the break. In the 90 minutes tactically, it's enough today for a win. For us, after, when we were drawing, we continued taking risks because we wanted to win but also conceded some chances for them. Then, we finished not happy with this point but we also recognised their work.
on what he said at half-time…
We spoke about these things. It was very difficult to find a goal or break through their lines defensively. Their transition was a very good transition. We didn’t want to concede another goal because it makes it more difficult, but our idea changed a little bit because we spoke at half-time. We needed to take more risks in the match. The risks were thinking that we could win but we also needed good balance in the transition against a good team with good transitions. I think the team played with character and we had chances to draw before our goal. We also continued to look for ways to create and to win the game but then we drew. In the last five or 10 minutes, we had the same idea with the risk but also thinking to win. At the end of the game we could say, ‘OK, the two teams both deserved it’.
on whether Bernd Leno had his best game so far…
We knew that today we needed the goalkeeper with his performance, because when we are taking risks in our attacking moments, and to give them a transition and options in the transitional moments we would need the goalkeeper. Today I thought his performance was good for us.
on Matteo Guendouzi coming on for Alex Iwobi…
It was a tactical change. We wanted to play our right and left backs deeper and win back more possession inside with Sead and Hector. Sometimes we did this situation well and we created chances to score. Their work was good defensively because their block was very high.
on Granit Xhaka's performance…
He has a big commitment to us and also character. His performance and his quality is good for us. We need everybody - also for me and for the team - to have more consistency but it's something that comes with working in our way. I think the most important thing in this way is to be with confidence and improving little by little with lots of work. I think we are doing it and Xhaka is doing it also.
on whether first-half performances worry him…
When you are playing over 90 minutes, the two teams start the game with more intensity. Little by little over 90 minutes you need to impose your game, your job and your individual quality or physical strength. In the first half, they were also very good and it was not easy to play against them in the individual duels. Maybe it’s one thing we can improve but that comes naturally in our work.
on taking off Mesut Ozil and an update on Danny Welbeck…
I decided that we had two players on the bench like Mkhitaryan and Aaron Ramsey, attacking players. I wanted two attacking midfielders, so I made the change for this reason. Danny Welbeck's injury is a big injury. We spoke with him yesterday and today. We support him with our personal relationship between the player and the staff.
on whether it’s a broken ankle…
Yeah. He had an operation on Friday.
on whether we’re likely to see him again this season…
I think it’s better for the doctor to say to you. It’s a big injury but the outcome… the doctor can answer that better than me.
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