31 January 2023
31 January 2023

Arslan: "We'll give everything to beat Torino"

The midfielder speaks to Udinese Tonight

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Tolgay Arlsan discussed a range of topics when he was hosted on Udinese Tonight on Tuesday evening, from his own fitness to the team's form and his team-mates' potential.
 
The midfielder began by looking back on Monday's draw with Verona and explained his substitution in the second half.
 
“It was just a bit of fatigue. I'm fine. We played well but to win games in Serie A you have to be almost perfect. We didn't manage to do that against Verona. We weren't able to score another goal and we're not happy.
 
“Now we're focused on Torino and we'll do everything we can to win it. We're not looking at the league table. We're taking things one game at a time.”
 
The 32-year-old then commented on Udinese's recent winless streak and whether it was down to a lack of fitness.
 
“Training is always intense at Udinese. The lack of results wasn't a fitness problem. I think we weren't putting as much effort into training after the winning run we went on before then. We've raised the level of intensity in the last two weeks and we've all strived to raise our game from the first minute. 
 
“We all agreed on the ritiro – it wasn't a punishment. Beating Sampdoria gave us a confidence boost and you could see our old desire against Verona. We have to carry on like this.”
 
Tolgay then acknowledged Andrea Sottil's role in the new-look Udinese seen this season.
 
“We're playing a different type of football under Sottil. He has great ideas and he understands the club and the city. He expects good football, hard work and high quality. We have a lot more possession now and that's down to him.”
 
The midfielder also commented on the January transfer window.
 
“We've lost some players but [Florian] Thauvin joined today and he's a great striker.”
 
At the end of the show, Arslan answered some questions sent in by fans.
 
On his position: “I spent ten years playing as a playmaker. I'd be happy to play wherever the team needs me."
 
On Monday's goalscorer Lazar Samardzic: “I took him under my wing from the very start – he's like a son to me. He's an excellent player and I think he has great career ahead of him. He needs to be mentally strong and I'm helping him with that.”
 
On his best goal for Udinese: “I think it was the one I scored against Lazio when we drew 4-4."
 
On his future: “I'm not sure what I'm going to do when I hang up my boots. I have company in Germany but I'll need to consider things.”