Mikel Arteta talked about how he is managing his squad through the winter schedule.
**Arsenal**earned a place in the final four of the Carabao Cup thanks to a victory over Crystal Palace for the second successive year at the quarter-final stage of the tournament. It was an opportunity to mix and match options, showing the strength in the side despite the absentees at both ends of the field.
No matter the role a player has in the group, there are non-negotiables that the manager demands. He will appreciate all the assets available for selection at this stage of the season, and the Spaniard spoke more about the displays of two individuals who helped the Gunners grab their semi-final spot.
“I see it as a privilege. Because of the attitude of the players, they make your job a joy. We had situations where we didn’t have a choice and up front for many months we had a situation, and now we have a situation in the backline. But it doesn’t matter.
*“We have situations like Cristhian Mosquera, like Kepa, like any player who is there constantly. Whatever the role that they have on the day or in training, they fulfil it. And then when they play, that’s what they do. And every player has to be with that mindset because you’re going to have a big role to play. You want to achieve what you want to achieve and it’s going to be the only way.*
“So I’m very happy that everybody who is now available is with that mindset, with that attitude. And then when they have to play, they perform like they did today.
“You have to win in different situations and contexts. We had two very difficult games. We managed to beat them. Again, the margins should have been bigger. And that's something that we have to improve and be better at. But as well, credit to the boys that every three days they are performing at the level that they are doing.
*“I'm so happy [for **Gabriel Jesus*]. It was his 100th appearance, I believe. That explains the journey that he has. A lot of bumps in the road. But a player with an incredible resilience, fight and the spirit that 11 months after he's able to perform in the manner that he did. So, great to have him back.
*“[**Christian Norgaard**] did very, very well. But I'm not surprised that when we brought him and we had those discussions, he understood perfectly what his role was. He's someone that, like Kepa, does everybody around the team much better. And when you need him to play and perform, he does it.”*