Mkhitaryan: Win gets us ready for the derby

Henrikh Mkhitaryan spoke to reporters following Thursday's win over Udinese.

Here are his thoughts on the game..

How important was it to go into the derby with a win under your belts?

"It was important to win tonight, because in three days we have the derby and we want to make sure we helped build the right mentality, the right ambitions within the team, to make sure we are ready for that one."

What's the feeling like in the dressing room? Did you speak to Lorenzo Pellegrini after the game?

"There's nothing I can really say to him - but it's a blow for us and for the team: we've lost our captain for the derby. A leader, a gamechanger, a really important player for us. We hope that sort of thing doesn't happen again, because I don't think it was a second yellow card. But what has happened has happened and now we need to focus on the game on Sunday."

With Pellegrini missing, could you move into his central role - or are you happy out wide?

"Obviously I could play in that role if needed. But it will be the coach who decides if I am the second striker, or if I play as a No. 10, or if I play from the wing. What matters more is that I play my best, and that I help the team to get the victory."