In the embargoed section of his [pre-West Ham press conference](https://youtu.be/_5PwAZhrKKI?si=vqf2Jz9WbYoE3Abi), Mikel Arteta continued to stress the amount of work Arsenal still have ahead of them in the title race, downplaying any sense of pressure while talking up the energy and momentum building around his side. The manager admitted the Gunners are “in a good moment”, but made clear nobody inside the club is getting carried away.
Here’s what he had to say…
**On Declan Rice’s reaction at full-time of the defeat to City…**
Yeah, I think that was the start of the sentence. “It’s not done”, and we are more confident that we’re going to do it. And that was the feeling that, probably without them expressing it in the dressing room, I felt immediately, and that was very powerful.
**On this group having it within them to make history…**
Yeah, and what is in our hands is to perform at the highest level on Sunday to win that game. If we do that, we’re going to be even closer, and that’s the only focus I think we have shown throughout the last three or four seasons. When we are capable in terms of performances and consistency, now it’s about delivering when the moment matters the most.
**On the immense pressure and whether it worries him…**
No, because I think I said it three or four months ago, the way we’re going to handle this situation. And it’s been exactly like that. And the players have responded really well to that, and we go there \[West Ham\] understanding the importance of the match. But what is driving and really pushing the team is that incredible win-to-win.
**On if the Premier League title is Arsenal’s if they beat West Ham…**
I don’t know where that theory is coming from. If is not enough, we have to be there, we have to be better than the opponent, and win the game. If we do that, we’re going to be closer, that’s for sure.
**On Thierry Henry saying this squad will be known as the ‘Unforgettables’ if they win a Premier League and Champions League double…**
It would be great, but it’s an if, and there’s still so much to do.
**On whether it feels like his side now has momentum on their side…**
I think we’re in a really good moment. You could sense the energy the other night after the game. I see it every single day here. I know how much we want it, and those are elements that are very, very positive. We have to use them to go there on Sunday and win the game.
**On whether he’s ever seen the team as motivated as they have been in the last week…**
Motivated? I don’t know. As happy, emotional and loud? Probably I haven’t, because that was a brilliant moment.
**On the importance of that energy…**
Channelling that energy in the right way. I think it’s, again, very, very powerful. I think they feel confident. I think they are convinced. And they’re really looking forward to playing on Sunday, and that’s probably the best part of it.