West Ham boss Graham Potter reacts to shocking 0 - 1 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates
22/02/2025
Emirates Stadium, London, UK
22/02/2025
Emirates Stadium, London, UK
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00:00Delighted, fantastic performance, very disciplined, committed, full of effort and
00:12intelligence. I thought the players were really topping that because
00:16obviously we're playing against a fantastic team and you have to suffer at
00:20times but I thought the players did it well. Carried a threat ourselves, scored a really
00:24good goal and had some other opportunities and the opponent didn't have too many against us.
00:31So overall, just delighted for the players, delighted for the supporters. I think it's a really, really big win for us and a positive day.
00:38They didn't have loads of chances, Arsenal, but they did have quite a few shots. Did you feel that your team defended really well today?
00:44Yeah, we did, we did. Even at 10 men, because they're playing with no risk, because they're 1-0 down, they're pushing players forward, it becomes so
00:53difficult to put any pressure on them and they've got such quality. But again, credit to the players, they get blocks when they need to and I think you always need a little bit of luck when you come here because clearly, again, they're a top team.
01:06But I thought the players earned that little bit of luck and I'm just delighted for them. They've had a tough week because we were disappointed with how we were against Brentford in the first half and then the players have responded really, really well.
01:18So I'd say I've really been impressed with that, with the players, and then just to give our supporters a really good day because they've been great with us as well.
01:27Great, and you have an excellent record for managing it. Did that inform your attitude and the mood for the players as you prepared for it?
01:36I don't think so. I mean, it's a different team. I think I first came here seven years ago with us to Sunday, to the day pretty much, and we had a really nice game then.
01:46But I just had a feeling that the players... We wanted to be a better version of ourselves when we were first off against Brentford and it was about how they could play as a team, be the best version of ourselves.
01:59I think that was really important for us and I thought we were today. We can talk about talent, but actually if you haven't got that team dynamic and that team spirit and that togetherness, then it becomes difficult.
02:09And so I'm really happy for them today.
02:13Graham, there's been a lot made about Arsenal, the fact that they don't recognise seeing a striker available. How much of that factors into your preparation facing a team who you don't really know who's going to play up top for them?
02:24Well, because of what happened against Leicester with Mourinho coming on and scoring two, we guessed that he would start the game and I think if you look at how he attacks the box and what he does, he's incredible.
02:38He's got a lot of getting on the shoulder of defenders and timing his runs into the box, so he's very dangerous. And then you've got the quality from the sides and Odegaard's putting balls in from all angles, pretty much.
02:51So, again, we had to defend that situation well and I thought we did it as well as we could.
02:58There's a lot been made about decision-making with VAR and referees today. That was obviously a big decision change, not the pitch. Do you feel like this is an example where VAR does its job correctly?
03:08Yeah, I was surprised the referee in the linesman didn't see it. It was obvious to me, to be honest. But, yeah, in the end I think they came to the right decision. But, yeah, it's good that at the end of the day you want the right decision, I suppose.
03:23Do you think this result today can kick-start you for the rest of the season and give you some momentum to take you into the next one?
03:30Well, we hope so, and it's about just focusing on the next match for us. Like I said, we've done a lot well, but it hasn't really manifested itself into the points that we'd like.
03:40So that's why today's really important for us and really big for us, because we've got the three points and we can move forward with positivity.
03:47But we need to just focus on the next game and bring a lot of what we did today to that next one and try and accumulate as many points as we can.
03:55Hi, Graham. An unbelievable win today, an absolute masterclass. I want to talk to you about one man, Mohamed Koudis. How good was he today?
04:04Yeah, he was really good. I think he's a bit of an example of every day in training he's been really, really good. His effort and his application has been top.
04:14And sometimes when the team isn't functioning as well as you'd like, the individuals within it sometimes don't look as good as they can be.
04:21But his attitude has been brilliant and I think he's got the reward for that today, because his performance was fantastic.
04:28Secondly, being a manager, sure you've got the joy today. Any celebrations tonight?
04:36I might have a glass of wine.
04:38A bit of a Taylor Swift as well?
04:39Maybe.
04:41Love that.
04:42Just a word on Koudis' goals?
04:45I need more than a word. It was amazing. Some performance.
04:52He's been really, really good since we've come in. It's a big thank you to the academy, because that type of player, the person as well, he's a really good character.
05:07So, obviously I'm saying a lot now, but I need to calm it down, because he's still young and he's still got a lot to do.
05:14But he has got the temperament to be really...a lot to look forward to.
05:21What can a win like this do for you? A new manager coming to a new club, what can it do for you and the principal and everything you're trying to instil?
05:31It sounds obvious, but again, the best way to build confidence and build belief and all that stuff is to win football matches.
05:38You need your daily work and you need to act well every day and convince the players, but football results help.
05:46Because otherwise the noise comes in and it becomes more difficult to convince people.
05:51So, I think it's, like I said, for the players, for the supporters, for us, it's a big win for us and a good day, a really good day.
06:00OK? Thanks, everybody.
06:02Thank you, guys.