Part two of Mikel Arteta's press conference.

In the second half of the Arsenal boss' pre-Aston Villa press conference at London Colney Arteta spoke from the heart regarding Emile Smith Rowe’s exit, as well as answering a question on the late Kevin Campbell, as put to him by Gooner Fanzine editor Layth in his role as a sports journalist for the Morning Star newspaper.

Read on for all Arteta had to say ahead of the tough trip to Villa Park 

On Emile Smith Rowe’s departure…

I really felt it. First of all, because I had huge gratitude because he came into the team, I have him the opportunity in a tough moment, and I think he was the player that made our supporters and the team click in a way. I don’t know how to explain it but that was my feeling. Something changed when he came on the team. He created a different energy straight away and I have a feeling like, ‘Argh’ I haven’t got the best out of him. Obviously, a lot of things happened in that time for that not to happen but from my side it was really sad because I love [him]. I know how those boys feel when they are in that building, how hard everyone worked to get them into the first team, so I feel a huge responsibility after to give them the chance and then can they sustain this level and make us better. That’s the idea that we have.

On Arsenal once aiming to have a first team that incorporated 50% academy youngsters…

I think the sentence is not finished, it’s I want to have a team that is half academy, half foreign, or whatever it is, and win the Premier League and Champions League consistently. Is it that the sentence or is it just have it? Have it, it’s possible, we can do that tomorrow but to achieve what is something different. I have a great example, Athletic Bilbao, what they’ve done with only academy players and Basque players is remarkable but can they win now every year La Liga and the Champions League, that’s a different task.

On whether he’s concerned that current Profit & Sustainability Rules incentivise Premier League clubs to cash in on their youngsters…

Every rule has its consequences. If somebody has thought about that very early, that’s good. That’s what we want. If you put the offside line here, you know what you can do. A lot of teams are going to play with a high line and you’re going to be offside. If you take that off tomorrow a lot of teams are going to defend in a different height. Every rule has its consequences and we have to accept that.

On whether Arsenal will sign a striker in this window…

It’s not a question that we’ve put to ourselves because we have some great strikers; Gabi Jesus is there, Kai has played there a lot of minutes, Leo has played there. We believe that we had other necessities as well and we fully trust our players, last year we scored the most goals in the history of this club. We want to get better, for sure, and we’ll try but we’ll try with the players already with us.

On Bukayo Saka having a new mural near the stadium (it’s actually a Persil advert!) and why he’s so popular…

Bukayo is a very likeable person and player and not only here, but across the country and anybody across Europe or the world who knows him, you can sense that he’s someone special. Bukayo understands that as an academy player. There are many other paintings out there, there is one of Josh Kroenke (by @northbanksy) which is unbelievable as well, and that’s good to see. It’s a reflection of how people feel about the club and the individuals.

On his relationship with Raheem Sterling and what impressed him the most…

His willingness to learn and how he reacted in a difficult moment for him on many levels. A player with a lot of courage, always available, always willing to play, always wants to develop. I was really impressed with him.

On Arteta working best when he’s under pressure and hungry…

I think the pressure is something we put on ourselves and that pressure comes from giving the team and the club the best possible tools to play the best possible way and that everybody is happy and fulfilled at the club and that we win trophies. That’s the pressure, the other part is something that is part of the job but it doesn’t feel like pressure.

On needing pressure to perform…

I don’t see that happening [pressure dropping off]. If there’s something that we really want to promote, it’s that everybody is on their toes, everybody is willing and everybody has the same intention which is to win. Hopefully, we can transmit that every day.

On falling into a trap during last season’s Villa games…

There is a lot of patterns there. Efficiency is one of them. I wouldn’t call that a trap, I’d call that something else but you have to give credit to the opponent when they manage to beat you whether you merit or don’t merit it. At the end, there are a lot of things you can analyse and be very simplistic about it when looking at how you lost but in my eyes, there are other things that are relevant as well.

On Unai Emery…

I always admired him as a coach, as a person, what he’s done with his teams. He had a difficult time when he was in his first experience here and he didn’t hesitate to take another project and take it to a different level. So that tells you a lot about the courage of the person.

On supporters panicking about his new deal…

I don’t think anybody has to panic, I’m in the place that I want to be. I’m really happy, hopefully, the club thinks the same thing and the players, they are the most important ones in my opinion, I look every day to them, when I’m talking to them and we’re having discussions and planning things, you sense in their eyes that sense of belief and hunger is still there.

On his talks taking a matter of minutes…

Minutes [laughs]. I don’t know, we’ve done it in the past, it’s never been an issue. I don’t expect that happening [taking too long].

On Kevin Campbell’s passing…

Really sad. It was very difficult news and you can sense the love and respect and admiration that was here for him. What we experienced on the day of the Wolves game was really emotional, very unique as well, very moving for everybody and especially for his family. Hopefully, they felt the club and everybody who knew him, loved and respected him in the manner they do as well.