ROBERT ARZUMANYAN: I’M VERY HAPPY WITH THE SCORE

Our head coach talked about the match.

- I’m very happy with the score, but not entirely with the performance. However, these are the kinds of matches you have to win, even when you’re not playing at your best, and that’s what we did. That was very important. We changed our formation compared to the previous match, and I think there were around seven changes to the starting lineup. In addition, Zhora Dadamyan made his debut, which I’m very happy about. We played with two strikers and so on. Probably the most important thing is the victory, although the scoreline is a little misleading. We had certain problems both in possession and without the ball.

- How would you assess Zhora Dadamyan’s performance, considering that he started the match?

- I think he had a good match, considering that it was his first game and he hadn’t played for a long time. Perhaps he was a little nervous, but I think he played well. He had deserved playing time for a long time, and he deserved to be in the starting lineup today. He trained with great enthusiasm, and I’m very happy for him. Overall, we had problems defensively, but they were not related to him. He had a goalscoring opportunity and could also have provided an assist. It’s good that he got to play. He earned this opportunity through his hard work.

- How close is Zhirayr Margaryan to returning from injury?

- We have been trying to find a solution to this problem for a long time. With Zhirayr out, we have Zhora at left-back and Khariton at right-back. We also use Veremeev, but the team attacks differently with him because he is a centre-back. This is an issue for us, and we are trying to resolve it. I think Zhora Dadamyan helped us find certain solutions today and was a great help to the team.

As for Zhirayr Margaryan, we are all waiting for his return. I can’t give an exact timeframe, but I think he will still have the opportunity to play this year.

- Mikael Mirzoyan comes on as a substitute and scores goals. Would you say that he is better suited to the role of a substitute, or is this a tactical decision?

- He is one of the best footballers in our team. In terms of his footballing qualities, he could be the best; he has everything he needs. However, before every match, we think about who can make an impact and strengthen the team. I would like him to start, but he is one of the few players capable of coming off the bench and changing the course of a match. To some extent, that responsibility falls on him. Perhaps that isn’t entirely fair.

If he improves his concentration, he will play even better, and he knows that himself. Perhaps I’m not being entirely fair to him, but he is exactly the kind of player who can play in different positions and change the course of a match. In this respect, a certain responsibility falls on him, and he understands that.

But the time will come when he starts matches. At the same time, all the other players must understand that when you get an opportunity in football, you have to grab it with both hands. You need to convince the coach through good performances and hard work in training that you are the one who deserves a place in the starting lineup.

- You mentioned defensive problems. How would you assess Erik Piloyan’s overall performance?

- For more than a year now, Erik Piloyan has been one of the best footballers not only at Urartu but also one of the best defenders in Armenia. Thanks in part to his teammates, he has also become one of the most consistent players in the national team.

He played four matches in 10 days, which is a considerable workload for a footballer. He performed well in all four games. In the previous match, we tried to give him a rest, but we were forced to bring him onto the pitch in the second half. In addition, there was a happy event in his family, he played for the national team, and so on. Perhaps he is experiencing some minor concentration issues at the moment, but I’m sure he will be even more focused in the next match.

He had a good game. But it’s understandable: national team duty, four matches, travel and flights. He has performed very well not only this season but also last season. He is progressing, and I’m happy about that.

Everyone at the club, including his teammates, is also pleased that we have provided the national team with a strong defender who helps not only the national side but also our club.