At 23:30 Beijing time on April 14, Arsenal will host Aston Villa in the 33rd round of the Premier League.
What's the latest news on the team?
We still have a day to prepare for the game and tomorrow we'll know if we're going to be fully engaged.
You won't be affected by the game against Bayern, right?
It's a little bit more, but hopefully one more day and it'll be fine.
What are your thoughts on the game against Bayern?
The reflection is over, the game against Bayern is over, and now only Aston Villa remains.
Has Bukayo Saka calmed down after that penalty controversy?
Yes, he looks good this morning. He had 48 hours to think, and that was over.
What do you remember most about Aston Villa?
Unai [Unai] [Emery] has had a huge impact on the team's performance since he took over, and their performances have been incredible. They also played in Europe last night and put in an impressive performance.
What will be the impact of the last match (of all the title contenders)?
We'll know the outcome. It's still our responsibility to win the game, that's the only thing we can control. This has happened a few times and will happen in the coming weeks. Just focus on what we can do, focus on what we can control, and we can beat the real powerhouses.
Are you happy about the imminent introduction of a semi-automatic offside system in the Premier League?
Yes, if everyone agrees, it means that it will make everything better. It's going to be faster and more efficient, and hopefully it's better for us."
When will Timber return?
He still needs some more steps. He'll need to play at least one Under-23 game and we'll have an in-house coaching game soon. He's done everything in training and now it's about getting him used to the game and getting the people around him to play with him, it's different from training.
What will he bring to you when he returns?
Hopefully, there will be many. From what we've seen in training and how long he's been adapting to the game, he's going to have a big, big impact on the team.
What's the momentum now?
Yes, very good, and we hope to keep it up. We have a very busy schedule and we have a very tough game on Sunday against a very good team. We have to give it our all.
What are your thoughts on the 18 changes at the top of the league table?
Oh, I really didn't know there was such a thing.
How exciting is that?
Hopefully the status quo will remain in place for the next six weeks. 18 is a great number, I love 8 because it's the number I've used to use, so let's keep that number.
How do the players cope with the pressure?
I think it's just a motivator. They've been through it all and they're really excited about what we're doing, whether it's the team's performance or the way we win the game. We know how big the challenge is and how good we have to do to win the game. We'll try.
Villa are out in midweek, can you take advantage of that?
We're always trying to play to our strengths. We don't know what they're going to do, there's nothing we can control. But they won last night and they are a very good team.
Do you prefer the VAR used in European competitions?
The referees in Europe are different, you have to adapt. It's a game that goes in a slightly different way and we all try to adapt.
Will Tuesday's game leave the players tired?
I think it's going to take a lot of time for us, especially how we manage the game emotionally. We had the advantage in the game, we took the lead in 15 minutes but then we were behind and then you have to deal with the situation emotionally. I think the team handled the situation brilliantly. Now that the race is only halfway over, everything is worth looking forward to in Munich.
You can't teach that emotion, right?
It's something you have to try to do every day, and it's true in many ways. While you're there, you're already going through something in your own system and you have to deal with it.
Unai celebrates his 1,000th game in charge on Thursday, how do you feel about that?
It's unbelievable, he's done it in so many different countries and circumstances, and his success is incredible. His hometown is very close to mine, and I admire him very much. I wish him all the best after Sunday's game, he has been impressive.
How important are the next two weeks?
Very decisive. We can play in all the competitions and we can go to the semi-finals of the Champions League. Every game will determine our future.
You can't just focus on one game, can you?
The only thing that is possible is to focus on one game a day, which is the only thing that will keep you focused and determine your task for the day, and this is the only thing you can control.
So, you never wake up thinking 'I might be the first manager at Arsenal in 20 years to win the league title'?
To be fair, I didn't think of it that way. What I think about is what we have to do to beat the next opponent and keep where we are. It's too far to say now.
How hard is it to stay focused?
It's our job. Fifteen minutes after the game against Luton Town, I was already watching Brighton in my office at the stadium. That's it, you don't have that much time, you have to prepare for the next game.
Will your defensive record earn you a trophy?
It's certainly an important platform to win football and we saw the difference between conceding and not conceding and how we concede on Tuesday.
How do you keep players relaxed and positive?
Naturally. We have a lot of support from different areas and professions, and then it's all about understanding the emotions of the individual and making adjustments every day so that they are in the right place.
Do you have any special tips for keeping them in the right frame of mind?
I don't know if there's anything special about them, but there are a few tricks to keep them that way.
You went through a suspension at Villa Park, how was that feeling?
It was an experience I deserved. Because I got a yellow card, I had to go to the stands. I've been through this, I don't like it, and hopefully it won't happen again.
Did this make you change your behavior?
Possibly, that's what I thought. When I'm on the court, sometimes I can really control myself? sometimes it's better. If you look at the whole season, if you look at the whole season, all the coaches who have been suspended are not because of coincidences.
Is everyone getting used to it now?
Maybe. When the sideline rule was first introduced, it was enforced very harshly. Every time we talk it's like, 'Oh, you're going to get a yellow card,' and I think it's a little bit smoother now. Now both sides have a better understanding of what to expect from each other, and that's it.
Do you feel like you've improved your emotional control this season?
I feel like there is progress, I don't know if it's good or bad. It's not up to me to judge, it comes down to how much I've helped the club and how much I've helped the team and the players individually, so let's try to perform and win as many games as possible. That's the end goal, and always will be.
Gabriel Jesus spoke about his 'pain' in the game and do you need to manage his appearances for the rest of the season?
In elite sports, I think it's very difficult to play without pain. Especially when you play a game every three days, at our level, if you ask any player they say: 'yes, sometimes it hurts but you have to face it.' "Gabby has this kind of tenacity and character, he always wants to overcome difficulties. He's got over some of the difficulties with the injury and he's ready again.
Are you trying to convey peace of mind to your players at such a stressful time this season?
I don't know if it's conscious or not, you all know me, that's how I feel. It's hard for me to hide anyway, that's how I feel. I want to give the best support and mentality to the players so that they can enjoy the moment, give it their all, have the real belief and determination to go for what we have worked so hard for 10 months.
You don't want to do anything to distract them, do you?
No, that's for sure. They are very focused and determined. When a team is doing well, don't touch them. As a team, they have grown a lot. Just let them be themselves.
Does Kai [Havertz] need to be persuaded to accept the role of a number nine?
I told him in our first conversation what we thought and what position I thought he could play and make an impact on the team. He totally agrees with me, he likes to change positions, he's been with us, at Chelsea and with the national team, he's very adaptable. If he's feeling good, sometimes it's about the people around him and what we're asking him to do, not the position on the pitch.
Do you think he's more comfortable in the 9 position than in the 8 position?
I'm not sure, I think it depends on the game, on the opponent's performance, and on his role on the day. But I wouldn't say he's more comfortable in the number nine position, I think he obviously played a huge role in the number nine, but his performance in the number eight position is very similar.