Mikel Arteta spoke to Sky Sports after Arsenal’s late, great 2-0 win over Everton this evening.
Here’s what he had to say.
**On Dowman’s late goal ..**
Yeah, it was a great moment, especially the way the goal was built up, and we had like 10-15 seconds to really enjoy it. We knew the goal was about to happen, and it was magical, all the bench and all the players together, jumping off into the crowd. It was a beautiful day.
**On his recollections of being 16 …**
I was not at the level that he’s at, obviously. You know, the goal that he scored, I think he changed the game every time he got the ball. His speed of the game makes things happen, and it looked like we were more of a threat.
So, to do that at that age, in this context, with the pressure and expectations to win the game, it’s just not normal, obviously.
**On Dowman’s maturity …**
It’s so organic for him, you know, he doesn’t feel the pressure. He gets the ball, he stops on the ball. It’s natural for him, and that’s the best thing, to make sure that he does what he feels.
And when you have such a talent, I’m sure good things are going to happen.
**His instructions to the subs being ‘Just go out and win it’ …**
That is it at the moment. The same with Gabi, I think a lot of the players that came in, the impact that the finishers are having in the season is remarkable. Everybody’s important, everybody’s adding to the team.
And yeah, there are moments where you have to be patient with all the dominance and the amount of short situations that you have when you don’t score. The anxiety is building, and you have to stay composed, be relentless in your desire to win the game and make something happen. And the team really had that experience today.
**On Gyokeres getting his 16th goal of the season …**
He does so many good things for the team. And today is quite a massive goal. You have to be in the right moment, in the right spot. He certainly was there, and he helps to win the game.
**On the impact on the title race …**
Well, job done from our side in every level, because I think the performance in many situations was very, very good. And what we are doing every three days, I think the players have to get a lot of credit.
**On this being a special day in Arsenal history (Dowman youngest ever scorer) …**
Very much. I mean, I think what we do is to create memories and to create moments. And I’m sure for many years, people that were in the stadium today will say, I was in the stadium, I was at the Emirates that day, when that kid, at 16, scored that goal in such an important moment of the season.