What do you think of Arsenal’s chances in the title race with four games to play?
That we are there. We have to look at ourselves and perform in the best way possible, win our matches and wait and see what happens. That’s what we discussed. It sounds a bit repetitive, but that’s what we have to do.
Is it a two-horse race now?
I do not think so. This competition is extremely demanding and there can still be many turns. We know what we have to do to win this competition.
How satisfied are you with the way your party has responded to setbacks this month?
It was amazing. Not just the results, but also the performance. We had a big one against Chelsea in the London derby and we’ll have another big one against Spurs on Sunday.
How great is it to have almost everyone fit?
Yes, we mentioned availability before, that it was something important. Except for Jurrien, it will be very close to having everyone available. That is a huge boost that takes the training, the competition between the players and the alternatives to choose the right formations to change the game to the next level. It’s going to be something very important.
How excited does that make you for future seasons?
We are fully focused on this because there is still a lot at stake and we want to get the job done. We know that it is a very young team with a very bright future and still a lot of room for improvement. We will try to keep developing it.
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How important can it be to make four appearances since Spurs’ last game?
We will definitely be fully ready for it. We have some time to recover and prepare for the game against Chelsea and I am sure we will be fully ready to play again on Sunday.
Is City’s result a sign that you have to be perfect?
It is another match that they managed to win convincingly. We cannot control it. So let’s do what we have to do.
How big of a selection headache is it if everyone is fit?
It’s a good headache! You sympathize with the players because you see how much they want it, how much everyone wants to start and contribute to the team in the right way. It is always difficult, it is part of the job, but they are also fully ready to come on the field, but we need them to help us win games. Their spirit is very good.
What is it like preparing for NLD as a player versus as a manager?
More motivation if anything. Because you know what you can give to your people, which will bring great joy and happiness if you win the game. When you get the chance to do that, you really want to make it happen.
What do you think of Ange Postecoglou?
Really impressive what he has done. I’m not surprised. I have known him since he was in the Australian national team and I also followed him in Japan. He has always been super clear with a very clear direction and identity with how his teams play. I like the way his teams play, so I think he has been very good.
How do you see the players at the moment?
Enjoy the moment. I’m trying to navigate this naturally. They’re super competitive at the moment, everything we do in training they just want to compete and compete and compete and that’s a really good sign. We know what we are going to do if we have to win the game and we have to raise the bar in training to make sure we are ready.
How much of Havertz’s form is your decision?
It’s never my decision, it’s our decision. We have made this decision very much in line with the club’s vision. On a sporting level, Edu and I offer our advice. There are a lot of important people and at the end of the day you need ownership to support you and make things happen. We felt very strongly that they were, first and foremost, characters and players who fit our model for the club. Sometimes it takes some time. It’s inevitable that you’re going to make mistakes and you have to create the environment and reason the players need to reach their potential.
Can the team you have take up a challenge in the near future?
I hope so. But you have to show it every season and every match. We have done it two years in a row and we are not satisfied with that, we want to win it. We will do everything we can to achieve victory. If it doesn’t work, we’ll try again.
If you don’t win, is it still progress this season?
I don’t even think about that.
What do you think of the supercomputer that can help you win 26% this season?
I don’t know what to say. Maybe we can modify the computer to make it a little higher. The software may need to be updated. We can help him update the software and give him more tools. Hopefully we can change that.
You’ve used the terms vertical and ball speed a lot this season. Why do you think they are so important?
It depends on the moments in the game phase and how the opponents behave. That’s what it’s all about. It’s about what the opponent is trying to do. How to hurt them, identify their weaknesses and identify the moments when you can hurt them. We are trying to prepare a game. There are many concepts around each style of play and for us these two are important, but there are many more.
Do you have the feeling that you will see that from the players, or will you find out in the game?
There are games that you imagine and try to explain to the players. Here’s what I think is going to happen and why it’s going to happen and how we can provoke that too. Let it happen and then use it.
Lost to Spurs two years ago in the hunt for the top four – lessons from that?
My memory is failing! I was more focused on last year’s, more positive.
Now a different core of players – trust them more?
I have always trusted my players and from there you can perform. I can also make the right or wrong decisions to help the team win or not win in the best possible way. It was a very special match for many situations, but of course we learn from it, we try to evolve from there and try to get a team that is better equipped. We have also all had experiences that have hopefully helped us to improve and we will have to show it again on Sunday.
20 years ago that Invincibles won PL there, inspiration?
Well, I understand that, but mathematically that’s not going to happen even if we win. But of course there are moments that are very important in our history and I am sure many players are aware of them. Certainly the staff and those who have been here long enough know about it. Now it’s about writing our own history.
Advantage for you for playing four games while Spurs haven’t?
Don’t know. What I can tell you is that on Sunday the boys will be fully ready to play against a great opponent, that will make it very difficult for us and we will have to be very good to beat them.
Will Timber be in the squad?
We will have to make that decision tomorrow after training. It is very close. I don’t know if it’s a little too early this time, but it’s very close, I would say.
The Spurs have had fifteen days off. Are you surprised by that at this stage of the season?
We knew that. They are not the only team to do that. Due to the circumstances and the schedule, some teams have to go without a match for a while. It can go either way. Don’t know. We will do everything we can to prepare to be better on Sunday.
Would you rather have played four times or had free time?
I think it’s great that we played four games. We had some great experiences. It was a very demanding week. We achieved great results in the last two. That has increased everyone’s confidence. We are in a good place.
Do you expect an open match on Sunday?
Don’t know. I don’t know what they’re going to do. They’ve been very, very consistent and I think that’s probably the biggest strength of what they’ve done. You have to prepare and sometimes in games you have to be able to adjust things if necessary.
Do you think Havertz, Jorginho and Rice’s connections with other London clubs will help you on Sunday?
Yes, we know that. I think it’s an incredible atmosphere. We’ve played there a few times and it’s a great place to play football. We have to put the rivalry aside and we have to live the game with passion and the intensity it requires, rather than with something special, because the game has everything you need to enjoy it.
Officially you can finish above Spurs next weekend. Does it show how far you’ve come that no one talks about it?
Don’t know. I think we have to look at ourselves and what we want to achieve and evaluate that in the context of a league and a lot of clubs that are super strong and make it very difficult to do that. We have to evaluate it in relation to what we have done and relate certain seasons to it.
Do you get a feeling of pride that you can also secure Champions League football for the second season in a row?
We have to do it first. Once we’ve done it, I think it’s important to mention it and remember it, and then move on to the next one.