There was plenty to talk about in Mikel Arteta’s post-match press conference on Saturday. The discussion was dominated by Declan Rice’s red card, but the boss was also asked about the game in general, missed chances, Raheem Sterling and injuries. Here’s a full transcript…

About his thoughts on the game…

It was definitely an emotional afternoon. We started the game really well, created three or four chances that we didn’t convert. Then we had a period with some problems, especially with the ball and we lacked some dominance in that period. Then we score a really nice goal at a time when we are taking advantage of the opponent. Then we go into half-time, come back and we were really strong. Then the referee makes a decision that changes the course of the game. With 10 men, the team reacted incredibly well, the stadium reacted incredibly well and we should have won the game.

About Declan Rice’s red card…

I was surprised. Surprised, surprised, surprised at how inconsistent decisions can be. In the first half there were two incidents and nothing happened. Then, in a non-critical area, the ball hit Declan, he turned, didn’t see the player coming and touched the ball. The law says he can make that decision, but the law says he has to make the next decision, which is a red card. So we’re playing 10 against 11. This surprised me, at this level.

Whether he spoke to Rice…

Yes. He clearly had a reaction. But okay, I repeat myself. According to the law, you want to do it, but you didn’t do it in the first half. And then we have to play 11 against 10. Very simple

About the pursuit of perfection and our two missed chances in the final phase…

Yes, definitely. In this period, how well we controlled the emotional part of the game, because it was really tough. The team reacted and showed a lot of discipline. We adapted to what we had to do, playing at home with 10 men and we don’t want to be in the deep for so long. We played the game we had to play and we should have been rewarded.

Without Rice for the North London derby…

This is what happens. We have other players who can fill in and we can give a chance to someone else.

On the process of getting Sterling up to speed…

Yes, we will have to see him and talk to him about what he has done and how he feels about it. We have to try to find quick wins to get him up to speed as quickly as possible and to make him understand what we expect from him and the dynamics of the team. We will use this time to do that and get him involved as soon as possible.

On how we can improve inconsistencies in decisions…

I don’t know. This is out of our hands.

About Jurrien Timber…

No, I think he had cramp. He got a kick in the first half and got cramp, so we had to take him off.