Every word from Mikel's post-Zurich presser

There was a certain amount of relief for Mikel Arteta after our narrow 1-0 win over FC Zurich ensured top spot in Group A on Thursday night.

Despite taking the lead early, we had to dig in deep in the second half to finally secure our passage straight through to the Round of 16.

After the game the manager faced the media, and discussed the victory, Elneny’s comeback, Tomiyasu’s injury and previewed the game against Chelsea. Here’s a full transcript…

On how he’ll ensure Arsenal start games fast in the Europa League…

Well we always try to start fast. We have an opponent who have something to say in the game but we try to start as well as possible, always.

On a nervy evening…

I expected it to be a tough match. I’ve watched them in the last few games – how they’ve changed since their new manager arrived, how they played against Bodo. You’ve seen it and it was really difficult to get any real momentum with the way that the game developed. We have to adapt to that. We had some big chances that we didn’t put away and that made the game more difficult in the last 15 or 20 minutes. We didn’t control certain situations and we had to dig in, which we did. We found a way to win and we’re top of the group.

On how impressed he is about his team’s reaction to losing in Eindhoven…

That’s what we wanted. Losing football matches is part of it. It will happen at certain stages and you have to react to that. It affects you just in the moment and then you move forward, analyse what happened and try to become better as a team. That’s what we’ve done. We’ve managed to win the last two games and now we have to go to Stamford Bridge.

On Sambi Lokonga playing in a more advanced role - and if he took the opportunity…

I think everyone took the opportunity. It’s true that we played him more there in pre-season. When we signed him, we had another idea - but in pre-season, he developed and played well in that position. Having to rest Thomas today, I think it was a good option.

On the latest on Tomiyasu - and how important it was to see Kieran Tierney performing well…

We don’t know [on Tomiyasu]. He felt something and we didn’t want to take any risks. With the amount of games that we’re playing, it’s part of it. It can happen in training, it can happen in games and unfortunately it happened to Tomi today. The rest of the players have to be ready because we’re going to need everybody now.

On what Tomiyasu’s injury is…

We don’t know yet.

On an initial assessment on Tomiyasu, given the World Cup is approaching…

We have Chelsea on Sunday. This is what I’m interested in.

On Gerard Pique announcing his retirement…

I just found that out - I will remember that you gave me the news! [He’s had] an incredible career and an incredible character. He’s given so much to this game… and he will be missed because I think he was a world-class player.