Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League tie against Inter Milan, Mikel Arteta expressed his excitement, saying that “his blood is pumping” in anticipation of the showdown at San Siro.
The manager also discussed the departure of sporting director Edu, provided updates on Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, commented on Saka’s captaincy, and shared a message for our supporters.
Arteta reacts to Edu’s departure
“Everything happened very quickly. Obviously I loved working with him, I really enjoyed being alongside him on this incredible journey. From day one we’ve been together. First of all I’m very grateful personally for everything he’s done for me, and for the amazing work he’s done for the football club. I think we both had this special chemistry, working together, we really both enjoyed our roles and working together. I’m very blessed he’s been part of my life in such a beautiful place that I am right now, managing this amazing club and he’s been a massive part of that.
“He’s got an amazing opportunity now to do something else, in a different role and he believes it’s the right professional move for him. We have to respect that, and from the bottom of my heart, everybody really feels that we want the best for him.”
Regarding what he would say to supporters who have concerns following Edu’s departure, he continued: “The plan and vision that starts with ownership is very clear and very ambitious, we are going to continue. We have a very strong leadership team, with unbelievable knowhow, real passion and great feeling for the football club. We are not going to stop where we are at the moment. Across the club (there is) excitement, passion, and understanding of where we want to take this journey remains in tact. That means opportunities for somebody else to come in, to fill that role. There are people that Edu has brought as well, alongside him on this journey which is always very important. And we move on. We say ‘thank you’ and we have to move on because that is the reality of our industry.”
Arteta issues injury update on Odegaard and Declan Rice
Speaking on the latest on both players, he said: “The positive news is it’s great to have Martin back. Obviously he’s trained with us for the first time, a full session today. He felt good, it’s a bit earlier than we expected, but he wanted to be with the team, so we’ll decide tomorrow whether we use him, but at least it’s a big step that he’s travelled with us and is part of the team. Declan unfortunately has picked up an injury against Newcastle. He was able to finish the game but he wasn’t feeling good in the last few days so we have to assess him on Thursday to understand whether he will be fit or not for the weekend.”
Concluding on the pressure Arsenal are facing to win this season, he concluded: “My blood is pumping. This is the kind of game that we want to play. To come to Milan to play Inter, two years ago they were in the final of the Champions League, they won the Scudetto last year so to come here and show the team that we are right now and the ambition that we have. These are the games we want to play, that’s for sure.”
