Every word Mikel Arteta said on Man Utd win, Gyokeres, Calafiori and mistakes in attack

Mikel Arteta faced the media after Arsenal’s narrow opening Premier League victory over Manchester United. Relying on a set piece once again, Riccardo Calafiori nodding in at close range from a Declan Rice corner.

Speaking after the game, the Spaniard was naturally pleased but quizzed on some of the obvious shortcomings in the side on the day, specifically Viktor Gyokeres' performance, who blanked on his official Premier League debut. Naturally, he encouraged patience for his new striker to find his feet.

Here is every word from the press conference as Arteta faced the media:

READ MORE: Why Declan Rice shouted at Arsenal teammates as Viktor Gyokeres breaks first Premier League rule

READ MORE: Gyokeres blanks, Martinelli nightmare as Calafiori stars - Arsenal player ratings vs Man Utd

How big a result was that for you?

A big, big result coming into the first game of the season against [Manchester United at] Old Trafford. When you feel that they are building something special and momentum with the new signings and they want to kick on the season in a good way and you are able to come away with the win, I think I'm very happy I'm part of the team.

Does that show just how determined and focused the team is for the season?

Yes, because we showed it in a different way today. I think we did two things very well. One, to take the set-piece and then react to especially mistakes. Some of them are necessary, some of them unusual. But the way every single player reacted to that gives us the opportunity to win the game. If not, it's impossible. And that's about how we compete and how much we want to take it.

You said you showed different things there. How important is it to be able to show that through a season and get a win, basically, when you're not playing your best?

Well, that gives you certainly momentum and confidence. Two very important things. Because you know that when you're not at your standards in certain aspects, which today we weren't, being fair, we can still come away and find a way to win the game. And the team has to find that resilience throughout the season for 10 months in different contexts to be able to do that. Of course, we have to improve a lot of things and that will happen very soon. But in terms of managing to get that into a very positive result, that's a great way to do it.

There were moments in the game where you were in attack and the ball either went away or the right pass wasn't made. I can see you on the touchline getting quite frustrated. What needs to change in those moments where the right decision is made and those attacks turn into big chances?

Well, as you see, I think there are seven or eight situations when the ball is completely open to play through and we are on. And we are attacking the keeper. And we give that ball away and then it becomes a basketball game. And I got a basketball game against a team that is extremely, extremely good at finishing action with the quality that they have. That's a very difficult thing to do. That's why I talk about the reaction to that. Because if you don't react in relation to that mistake, quick enough, sharp enough, you're in big problems.

Can I ask your assessment of Viktor Gyokeres today? His Premier League debut. How do you think he got on?

Well, he did a lot of things very good. You can tell, especially in our high-pressing rhythm that we demand that, especially in the first hour. Again, he took too much time. It's something that we have to work on him, especially there. And then, yeah, finalising situation, he didn't have that many chances to do that because, as I said, on the previous action, before we had to play that last ball that the line was standing still with 40 metres behind, we then managed to put the ball through to exploit his quality. But overall, I mean, coming away to Manchester United, winning your first game with Arsenal, it's a good start.

Question about Calafiori. Obviously, he scored the winning goal. What gives you that maybe some other players doesn't give you? Is he OK?

He has the capacity to change the energy. He comes in the room and he changes the energy in the room, he changes the energy in the team. He has an aura, he has a presence that is special. And then he's a player that is very unpredictable for the opponent because he can occupy very different spaces, he can do things in and around your box, in the middle, in the opposition box, and it's very difficult to predict. So, I'm very happy with him.

There was a time when Arsenal's record away against the sort of old Big Six wasn't great, and we talk about there being maybe a mental block coming into places like this. Do you think you've sort of put that to bed now?

Well, I think that was the case. I was 18 years old, 22 years here, travelling without winning before I came, and now, yeah, I go in the dressing room, we won here the first game, and we are still happy. Good sign.