Mikel Arteta returned to the media spotlight on Tuesday afternoon at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, where he held a press conference ahead of the upcoming match against Preston North End.
During the press conference at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, Mikel Arteta addressed several key topics. He provided updates on the latest team news, shared his thoughts on Erik ten Hag’s dismissal, discussed strategies for squad rotation, and more.
Arteta shares positive news on Gabriel and Timber
Regarding Gabriel’s knee injury, he said: “We are still assessing him, it doesn’t look bad at all. He was much better than expected, so hopefully he’ll be fine. He’s had some tests yes.”
On Timber, he added: “Jurrien is fine. He was very tired, he had been out for a while and could not continue the game but there is no new injury there. He could not continue, so we decided to make a very safe call.”
He also gave an update on Riccardo Calafiori and William Saliba’s return from suspension:
“Calafiori will be out for a few weeks I’d say. I will decide that (if Saliba will feature) when you see the team. The same as for the rest, and how we get the strongest team we possibly can to win the game.”
Speaking about Martin Odegaard who has been absent lately, he said: “He’s been on the grass for a few weeks, but there are still a few boxes to tick. How fast we can do that last stage of the rehab is a question we have to answer when we have players around and he starts competing with the team, something he hasn’t done yet. Hopefully yes but we’ll have to see how he goes”.
Arteta looking to give fringe players chance in Carabao Cup
Speaking about finding the proper balance between first team players and opportunities for fringe players, he said: “We will try to find the right balance there. As you said we have very demanding matches now, in different competitions. We want to win them all and we have to start tomorrow to get the momentum again and we’ll put a strong team out”.
“Nobody is unsackable. When you have that (support) you have earned something, and you have earned that back somehow. But here we are here to win football matches, never forget that”.
He concluded by speaking about the significance of the Carabao Cup, saying: “It’s important because it keeps everybody alive. It maintains the winning habit which is really, really important, and it shows you care about every competition, regardless of what you play. You have to compete for every match you are in, or you are out. The margins are so small and tomorrow we are going to face a really tough opponent”.
