After seeing us beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 to record a fourth straight win at the home of our biggest rivals, Mikel Arteta was soon in the press conference room taking questions from the media.
He was asked about us bouncing back from the midweek result in style, Ebere Eze making an impact in the derby again, what we'll do with a week between games and much more.
Here is everything he had to say:
on the response:
I think the whole team, I cannot be prouder and happier for what I've seen out there, but especially the way we lived the last 72 hours, because I think this game in particular needed some context. And after what happened against Wolves and the manner in which we lost two points in the last kick of the game, it was tough. But that's the beauty of this game. There is no explanation watching the game, for how the hell you draw that game, from any angle. You watch it back and say it's impossible, and you have to watch it again and say it's not going to happen, but it happened. And then you have to lift yourself up because you're feeling angry, upset, ashamed at some point.
We are all different nationalities, we all have different feelings, and then you have to bring everybody together. It's been a joy to spend that time together with them, to align everybody and to say: 'OK, what is going to be happening in the next chapter?' This one is gone, how do we use it to be a turning point and to make ourselves better, and that was the focus, that was the intention. But after you have to do it on the pitch, and I think what we've done from the beginning to the end of the match. It was outstanding.
on the players’ performances showing how much we wanted it:
The way I could feel them after the game and the way I was feeling, it's much bigger - this is not a job. When you are disappointed about what you've done in your job, you don't feel that way, it's much bigger than that. That's our passion, it's the purpose that we have, the objective that we have is what we love doing, and that is very painful. But as well, it can be very rewarding, and today, football shows you that keep going - whatever you do, you win. Keep going. If you lose, drop. Keep going because it is worth it, especially with the people that we have in this club.
on if he know about Eze’s goalscoring prowess in the second half of the season:
We looked at every stat, but that one, to be very honest, no. I mean, he's scored five goals in the last two games against them, which is extremely difficult to do, but I could see that he wanted to prove something. He was upset, even with me, because I didn't play him in the other day from the beginning and some of the decisions that I made. And I start to understand how we're going to get the best out of him now.
on if today showed how the attackers can unlock themselves:
Yes, I think they have some very, very good moments. With the amount of goals and performances and wins that we have in every competition, they are showing that. But you have to show when it matters, and when it's really on the edge and people are doubting, that's when you have to stand up, and it's very difficult to do it. But today, I think individually they had some huge performances and I'm very pleased to see that.
on Bukayo Saka being back to his best:
I loved his attitude, his presence, how dominant he was in the game from the beginning. The first reaction immediately, he wants to grab the game, and he really wants to say, I'm here. And that's what I love, he didn't score, but he was in every action. I think he was really, really good.
on his feelings for the way we’ve reacted:
I am very, very proud and very happy, not for today, but what happened in the last three days because we said: OK, let's love the players when they need it the most. But as well, sometimes the coaches and the staff, we need some love as well. We need some people around them with positivity, drive and who stand up next to you when we need them. And it's been really, really good to work with them in the last few days.
on if he’s spoken to Eze about his impact in this fixture:
You just have to look at his face and the way he was in the dressing room and with that big smile and his eyes are just expressing everything that you need to. He came here for a reason and we need those moments from these players. I think him and the front players today, I think they've done what we expect from them.
on if he’s going to let the players drink cocktails in our week off:
I don't drink cocktails. So, no, we will do our own thing.
on how important it is to get the win ahead of a midweek without a game:
Really, really important because obviously the amount of games that we are playing, every competition is just incredible and today gives you a chance to actually take a little breath, analyse what we're doing and go again to the international break. That's when we're going to have a lot of games again.
on if this has felt like a turning point of a performance:
It feels like we've shown what we are made of but then you have to show it again and again and again, because if you have to just analyse how you feel after every game, I mean it's a massive rollercoaster and it's not sustainable. So, we've done great today, I think we're all very proud of the manner in which we won the game, not only the way that we performed and we know what it means to us. We go again.