"Before the match we were very motivated and very excited about the possibility.

"This is a very tough match and we needed to be focusing very well defensively. We wanted to be strong and have high commitment to defence as were in the first half. We tried to do 90 minutes being consistent and wait for our moment to control the game.

"The first half was more difficult but we tried to dominate with the ball. We did that less than in the second half.

"Second half we competed very well. But we are not being consistent in every match like I want. But today we were fantastic."

"We analyse deeply before each match and we played 10 ago at Manchester City and lost 4-1. We were trying to understand a lot of things we did good but we needed one step to do something better.

"Today was an example. Firstly, it was in defence. The defence was strong. We tried to be narrow and avoid line passes then being compact with the players. More or less, that was the first idea we had.

"Then it as about trying to get time with the ball. We did, better in the second half and we imposed ourselves."

Unai Emery, post match


"I enjoy every win but the fans have been supporting us home and away. We knew an away win would help our Champions League hopes.

"This is the first step, we've got five finals left. But we need to enjoy this one then go again on Thursday and try to make the semi-finals.

"I think it was 10-11 years I was here. I've still got friends here. I came here as a lad and left a man. I'll always love this club.

"They are still second, they've come far and have one of the best managers in the world. I've worked with Mikel [Arteta]. I know how good he is.

"I tried to keep the team in the game, I always try to keep focused and make saves.

"I think Ollie should win player of the season. When you play for a 'big six' side, you get more credit but Ollie has scored 19 goals with the chances he's got. He should be a contender."

Emiliano Martínez


"It's massive to come away to Arsenal when they're playing such good football and controlling games, to play like that just shows where we've come and where we're going.

"It was probably a perfect away performance.

"I grew up supporting Arsenal but it's a different story now that I'm playing against them.

"Any win is a big result but considering the other results, we're focusing on ourselves but we're fighting for Champions League and we knew it was going to be tough today but we've shown what a good side we are.

"A lot of people doubted us, they thought we played good football but couldn't get a result here. We've proved a lot of people wrong."

Ollie Watkins.


"I am very happy. I think the players were very focused. We were analysing our process as a team and individually. We prepared this match as a very difficult match, but a great opportunity to get three points.

"We were ready to play strongly. We were ready to play under their pressure during the match. Even then we were convinced we could play in our moment and we did it. We needed the goalkeeper and the defence together. We needed high commitment.

"We had to feel comfortable on the pitch and to try to progressively feel comfortable on the pitch, keeping possession and getting our chances.

"Day 33. Okay, 63 … we could now be contenders. We must be very demanding to keep it.

“They are doing amazing this season and they are even competing - like us - in Europe against Bayern Munich. Poof, these are very tough matches but we are here in the Premier League enjoying because it’s the best league in the world. Sharing with Europe is very tough but it’s the best for us coaches to enjoy and to have these problems when you are facing matches like today or Bayern for them, for us Lille. We have to play always being consistent, being very demanding to get our best performance.

“When you are preparing one match, you know maybe if you can deserve to win or deserve to lose but you have to be clinical and you have to keep being consistent in your mind. To beat Arsenal here or to beat Arsenal in Villa Park is very difficult because they are very competitive.

“To come here is something important for a coach because as a coach it’s very difficult to come here and beat Arsenal. After my time here, I came here two times – one with Villarreal and one now. My moment here was fantastic as well individually but now everything is for Aston Villa, for me it’s the same three points we go for against Brentford and next week Bournemouth.

"I think we played more or less the same. Playing against Arsenal in their stadium or at Villa Park, they are both very difficult. Each match has different circumstances and I think it is better to try to be consistent in 38 matches and of course, every match is very important they have three points.

"We have to try and focus each match. Today, we defended fantastic, like we did a lot of times in 90 minutes in Manchester against City, but we lost. Today it was the same idea in the game plan. We also used some clips of that match - we did the same. We avoided some more chances of Arsenal and we got more chances for us. We were clinical scoring goals.

"We are trying always to dominate and get possession and avoiding their press. We were concerned before the match because the only way to win here was to keep the ball more than Arsenal in some moments. If we were always running then it would be hard for 90 minutes doing it. Today, we focused on it. Through it we can feel better.

“The first half was the same game plan, only the first half we didn’t do because the opponent was pushing being more successful on the pitch as well tactically. The second half we tried to continue building up, trying to avoid the press and then trying to maybe find Zaniolo with the long ball, the hold up was fantastic. After it, we were dominating more. Sometimes, the opponent were going lower and we were with the possibility to keep the ball more.

"I am very happy for him [Nicolò Zaniolo]. At the beginning of the season it was very difficult and the impression was not easy but I told you and told him one or two months ago, something changed. He was focusing more and better, training more and better, focusing each match as well helping the team, playing 10 minutes, 20, 30, 45, 60, and today he showed it. We needed him, I told him before and today he showed us. From here until the end of the season, we will need these players available.”

Unai Emery, post match.


“Not bad for a winger trying to be a striker.”

Ollie Watkins responds to the retarded, waste of Oxygen that is Tory Deeney, the only player to be universally hated by all the clubs he PLAYED for.



“Don’t **** with the Villa.”

Liam Gallagher