“They are competing in the highest level in football. And to compete is to adapt of the opponent, to impose to the opponent, to impose their individual duels, to impose set pieces, to impose their structure tactically against the opponent.
“Of course, we played them here three weeks ago, and we showed our capacity to respond, to compete against them, and in the end even winning the match.
“But (it) was a really tough match. We needed to get our better performance collectively and individually, and even we needed to show our mentality, winning (in) the last minute, and tomorrow, of course, is going to be a different match.
“I think a different match because there are playing in Emirates, and they are going to feel stronger than away, with their supporters, but it’s our test now.
“We were speaking about the tests we had in Chelsea, and of course, we needed 90 minutes, we needed every player and tomorrow, I think, with the circumstances, we can have – because some players they are not available for tomorrow – the same test.
“I think they are favourites (to win the league). How they are building the team, how they are improving a lot of things, more players in their squad.
“Some players, they are coming back after being injured, like (Kai) Havertz and (Gabriel) Jesus, and of course, look and can see them now, stronger.
“We are analysing them to play tomorrow like we analysed three weeks ago, and of course, we have as well enough players and enough structure tactically and individually and mentally as well to try to face them, but of course, it’s the biggest test we are going to face.
“Of course, Manchester City as well, they are performing fantastic, and we must be proud of everything we are doing and being one point behind Manchester City, three points behind Arsenal, and how we are doing our way, but we must be humble, and we must be confident, and we must be as well ambitious.
“And our ambition is, go tomorrow to face them and we’ll see how we are facing them.
“It’s not changing in two days, my opinion about it.
“And how we are performing, of course, is something we are really feeling proud of everything we are building, tactically, mentally, individually, and try to feel inside as a family, everybody. We are spending more time here than with family.
“But each match, the next challenge is tomorrow, very difficult, the most difficult, maybe, challenge, we can face now, because it’s the best team.
“I think they are playing fantastic, they are competing fantastic. They are being so, so strong in everything.
“Of course, how they are building the team progressively each year is really being better and better and stronger and stronger. And it’s our challenge.
“But we are motivated. We are so, so motivated, how we are getting this moment playing against them, and away is always a little more difficult than at home.
“For them as well, it’s very important because three weeks ago, we beat them, and they usually will want to try to show their power against us.”
“The opportunity is how we are now in the table, in the day 19, and how we can feel positive, how we can feel confident to play with our structure tactically and individually as well, feel confidence playing in the highest level, we are going to try to get tomorrow.
“Of course, after the match in Chelsea, we analysed deeply this match, we did a lot of things good, we can improve things.
“Of course, the level we faced is similar, like we are going to face tomorrow, Arsenal, maybe even in something, maybe competing even better, and this is the next step forward we want to try to take, showing our capacity and our test, our own test, how we can face them (with) our structure.”
“Two years ago, we were finishing the first half of the season with 39 points. Just now, we have 39 points, and you were making the same question.
“You were making the same question two years ago. We were with 39 points in the day 19, and we finished fourth in the Champions League position, of course, fantastic.
“To speak about the title, not make sense for us, now, in December. For me, not make sense.
“Of course, we are motivated, we are excited, but for the moment we are, we have momentum and for the match we are going to play tomorrow, and with three points difference between them and us.
“This is our motivation, but if we are thinking today, 38, the life is passing. We are not enjoying.”
**Unai Emery, pre-match.**


"It is the first time in my career as a coach, 20 years, we are finishing the first part of the season not playing 19 teams.
"I don't know why. Only I am telling it because it is the only issue in my mind I am not understanding. But, of course, I accept it.:
**Unai Emery on the strange fixture scheduling of the Premier League.**


"I asked the people and they didn't tell us. So, it is a mystery. The fact is that willing, or not, this makes more convenient the fixtures for certain clubs that are not travelling on this very busy Christmas period.
"I let you take a look which clubs are playing home both last and next match. To make us play two away games in less than 72 hours will be never an excuse but we agree that is much better on the recovery side [to] play twice at home and not travel.
"We are not, for sure, as it is obvious, having any influence. It would be a disgrace if the fixtures become a political territory.”
**Damian Vidagany is a little more blunt.**


“Premier League sides will play the remaining team that they have not faced at the weekend in round 20.
“The league does this type of scheduling to create a better overall home and away sequence of fixtures across the season. *[Villa had no traditional Boxing Day game and two away games over the period. Arsenal had two home games, Chelsea had two home games, Manchester United had two home games, Manchester City were required to play once only, an away match]*
The Premier League also stays in regular contact with clubs regarding scheduling and it also helps satisfy various date requests that clubs may have.
**The Premier League’s straight-faced explanation.**


“I was about to say what an atmosphere here at the Emirates, but it's been dashed in the last few minutes with confirmation of the big team news, Arsenal are without Declan Rice.
“He misses out through injury. A huge, huge blow”
**Lee Blakeman, BBC Radio 5 Live reacts to Arsenal missing one player**.


“Morgan Rogers is playing with confidence.
“I didn't know he was as good as we've seen recently; he's been outstanding. He's a top, top player.”
**Clinton Morrison’s football intellect continues to impress**