Mikel Arteta faces the press after Arsenal's Premier League clash with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. The Gunners travelled to the east midlands missing many of their starting forwards as Arteta had his first taste of battling with a hand tied behind his side’s back.
It was evident how much threat the Gunners lacked as the best chances fell to the 17-year-old as the game went on without many major opportunities. He hit the bar and post with brilliant strikes but to no avail.
However, he would provide the cross which found a leaping Mikel Merino. The Spaniard headed past Mads Hermansen who had been given very little to do for most of the game and then scored a second soon after following a brilliant Trossard cross.
You can hear everything Arteta has to say on all that and much more with football.london's chief Arsenal correspondent Tom Canton in our live blog below.
Every word here!
Read everything from Mikel Arteta's press conference here.
Nwaneri being compared to Messi by Joe Cole.
Let him play. He's a massive threat, a massive talent.
Asked about Sterling needing rhythm
Yeah and as well I think from everybody. Especially in the first 25 minutes, we were not in the game.
On the title race
Yeah and it was for us as well. It was a lot of noise as well to show how much we want it. To believe in the resources and show that we want it.
On Fellaini thoughts at that moment
I didn't think about him to be fair. Mikel is a goal threat, he's got really good timing. He has the capacity to execute with that part of his body.
Arteta on if Merino is the answer
Yeah we're going to have to share that. If a player is not performing, a yellow card or fatigue. We have prepared for those scenarios.
Arteta on the performance
The first 25 minutes we struggled to get momentum.
The second half was very different, much more urgency. You could sense the game was going in the right direction.
On if Arsenal were lucky?
I'm not saying they were lucky. We have to give credit to Arsenal as well.
For 80 minutes we were in the game. I think yeah, we were in there for a draw.
Ruud on the chances (Arteta after)
A game of fine margins. We had a chance before half time we can go 1-0 up.
The second half, nearly, the touch by Lewis-Skelly.
On the way!
Mikel Arteta will be with us soon. Expected to be asked on Merino, Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri.
We cannot forget Lewis-Skelly!
That block late on in the game to stop Bobby De Cordova-Reid scoring was simply brilliant. It was as big as a goal in the context of this game considering how soon after Merino scored!
Arsenal player ratings
The first half was a worrying sign for the Gunners who created incredibly little. Raheem Sterling and Leandro Trossard were caught offside more times each than the side had shots.
Ethan Nwaneri would hit the bar in the second half to give some belief that a goal was coming for Arsenal. Then he managed to try another magical strike which struck the post square-on.
He would take a break from shooting, however, to find the perfect cross. Curling a ball to the back-post where Mikel Merino would leap and head into the back of the net, before the midfielder added another on a breakaway to seal all three points.
Read how football.london rated the performances of the Arsenal players here.
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to football.london's coverage of Mikel Arteta post-match press conference after the Gunners' clash with Newcastle United.
You can hear everything Arteta has to say on all that and much more with football.london's chief Arsenal correspondent Tom Canton in our live blog below. Updates to follow...
