How do you explain the game and result after two impressive performances?
This is football and every game is different. First of all congratulations to Villa for their performance and win under such pressure of fighting against relegation. For us it has been a very emotional and physically demanding week. We tried everything, you cannot fault the effort but after giving a set piece goal we need to find ways to attack them better in the final third. We lacked that creativity and that final cross and spark.
How do you address difficulty attacking a low block?
Spending time understanding the spaces, where they are, how we can provoke them, where we need the bodies and the areas we have to attack. In the first half I felt we didn't have the urgency with the ball. The second half was much better, we controlled the transition better but it wasn't enough.
Do you not see a logic for having Ozil in the squad when attacking a low block?
We played other games as well, the answer is not just a player but collective patterns that have to happen. We did in certain ways really well but the end product wasn't good enough and the better chance we had hit the post.
What would you say to the fans who flew that banner?
I have full support from the Kroenkes, from the board, from the sporting director. We are putting a very strong plan together to try to do as much as we can in the shortest period. At the end of the day the league table doesn't lie and we know the gap we have to fill in. We are on board trying to do everything together.
Did your comments after the Liverpool game prompt some fans to believe the owners are standing in your way?
I don't know but if that's the impression it's not what I wanted to do. I wanted to emphasise - and I'd do it again - we need to improve in many areas. The first is my responsibility to improve the team, individually and the mentality of course as well.
After that in certain areas we need to get better. The top teams are better than us and we have to do that. Uncertainty is the reality. We have uncertainty because the coronavirus hit everybody hard, we don't know if we are finishing in Europe and there is uncertainty with a few players. I have to try to be honest and that's what I said.
Do you have the depth you want?
That's one thing and the other thing is the specificity you need to do it consistently. We've done it then we had a different challenge, completely different game. We have to find a way to do that. That will take time. When you have that many points of margin with the top teams it's for a reason. We know that reason, we will try to to put it right with a lot of work and in the right moment with the players we need.
Does it show what a big transfer window this is for Arsenal?
The big challenge is to keep going in that process. That the players are still believing in what we are doing, improve them as much as we can and then tick it and make some really good decisions in certain areas that we need and that's it.
It's the first time in 25 years Arsenal have finished outside the top six. Does challenging feel a long way off?
It has to hurt and we have to suffer because it's not good enough for this football club and that's what we have to put right. We know the challenge is really big. We are facing it and really excited about what we have ahead of us and we need to transmit this enthusiasm and passion because there are going to be some ups and downs unfortunately. Today is a down but as well, it's sometimes good to see the reality and then go again and move on and improve.
The cup final means you still have a big opportunity?
Absolutely and I think I few weeks back we would have been happy to be in the position that we are. To have the opportunity to grab a trophy and go directly to Europe.
Does the FA Cup impact your approach to the final league game?
No. We will try to prepare the game in exactly the same way, try to beat Watford. We need to win straight after a defeat, you need to get that momentum back, confidence, everybody has to be ready for the final so it won't be the case.
Added pressure for the final?
Yes because after the disappointment you have to lift the players and you want to play straight away as quick as possible. The players were disappointed today. Again, I cannot fault their effort, they tried until the last minute really, really hard but it's been an emotional and physically demanding week. Even with that you have to find ways to come here and win when you are so dominant.
Mesut Ozil is still the player to create the most chances under you. What does that say about the other creative players?
I try to make the best decisions for the team and the club.
If he is the most creative player is it the best decision for the team?
All the time I'm going to try. Sometimes I get it right, sometimes I get it wrong and sometimes I get it very wrong but all the time I will try my best.
