Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta held a pre-match press conference ahead of this weekend’s big away game against Chelsea.
The Gunners could make a real statement if they win against Stamford Bridge on Sunday, a result that could move them nine points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Enzo Maresca also spoke to the press and you can read Arteta’s press conference word for word on Friday.
Full text of Mikel Arteta’s press conference before Chelsea vs. Arsenal
About Leandro Trossard’s fitness…
There’s another test today, we need to see how he feels. It doesn’t seem to be very big, so I’ll have to take a look as I still have a few hours left. There’s a potential opportunity (he’s available this weekend).
Being friendly behind closed doors…
It happened. Gabi (Jesus) joined us, and Ethan (Nwaneri) joined us because we needed some time. We took advantage of that opportunity. They wanted some exposure to competition, which was very positive.
Regarding the availability of Viktor Gokeres and Kai Havertz…
We have another day tomorrow, so let’s see how everyone is doing tomorrow.
Regarding Arsenal’s stability…
It’s not that they surprised me, but you have to be able to perform as well as them as an individual over a long period of time against your opponent, and that’s very difficult to do. Like I said, that’s how I felt about the players and how I felt about the players and now it’s about finding that same consistency on Sunday and going to win again.
Regarding Joshua Kimmich’s comments after the Bayern game…
I think the way both teams played, the way they played against PSG was very similar. The way they played with the full-backs when it was all man-to-man, the way we did what we did in terms of rotation, they created a game of very long passing sequences. So I know what he’s saying, that’s okay, it’s part of the game. I think this game was provoked by the way both teams played, so that’s very understandable.
Regarding the recent results between Arsenal and Chelsea…
This is a big game, a big London derby and we’re going to play a really good opponent and they’re in really good form. We know the challenges and we know we have opportunities on Sunday as well, so we are well prepared for it.
On Chelsea’s title qualifications…
I Consider that we are all there and they are there because they are fully qualified to be there. What they’ve done over the last few years, the squad they’ve assembled, the numbers they have, the quality they have, the manager and coaching staff they have, it’s no surprise that what’s going on there is very, very positive and I think they deserve to be there.
On claiming victory at Chelsea…
These are statements that we speak every three days. After beating Spurs at home, we have to make a statement against Bayern Munich, but now that’s over we have to move on to the next game. That’s where we are and we knew the importance of this week, but more than that, what would happen in three days would be exactly the same and nothing would change. However, we are very motivated for the match.
I put a lid on my expectations…
We’re not talking about lid or no lid. You need to have a basic understanding of what you have to do to be better than your opponent and have a chance of winning. If we can do that, we can do the same thing in the next game and nothing will change.
Regarding Hincapie and Mosquera’s condition…
They both have very good potential (to play on Sunday) and Pierrot also plays as a left-back, which is another option we have given the opponent, the game and the condition of the players. Miles (Louis Skelly) is also obviously a very good option that we have. Keep everyone engaged and make them feel connected to the team.
On Chelsea downplaying their title qualifications…
I don’t know, but I think that’s a question for them.
If this is the biggest game of the season…
For us, yes, because it’s the next game. We just live in the moment and prepare as best we can to be better than them and win the game.
On Estevao’s form at Chelsea…
I don’t want to talk about it individually. When you look at the players they have, the team they have, the quality they have in the forward positions, it’s immeasurable. They did it really well. They’ve been hiring great people over the years, and it’s no coincidence that they’re here.
About young players who enjoy the pressure…
I think it depends on the individual and his personality, personality and ability to handle the situation and the pressure that comes with it. I think that’s a really positive thing.
About Declan Rice’s Ballon d’Or win…
i hope so! That means we won a lot, because that’s usually associated with that. I thought he was great the other day, I think he’s been great since the season started, and he’s an incredibly important player for us.
About Gabriel’s fitness…
still. I think he’s progressing really well. You need to wait a little longer for the scan to make the timing more accurate. But I’m very confident that it won’t take that long, especially with the way Gabi has come through all the injuries and the way he pushes everyone.
Regarding the possibility of Gabriel Jesus returning…
Must see. He’s been out for 11 months and needs to make that progress. You need to see how his body reacts and what else he needs. It has to make sense to get the right balance in the squad, as well as the players we have available. So it’s good that he’s so close at the moment.
Regarding Mikel Merino’s replacement as striker…
We learned that last season. Because it means you have to play for a long time without nine. He brings other things as well: his intelligence, his way of competing, his way of mastering many of the things that are important to us. He has that in every player. Then he’s a real threat. The other night he was able to score two goals, he was involved in a lot of positive actions and his work rate was incredible.
Regarding whether a player’s record against clubs is a factor in selecting a team…
Not necessarily. I think we look more at the state of the player at that moment. What happened six months ago is not that important. In my opinion, there are experiences and connections within the team that are more important than that. I’m very happy with what Gabi (Martinelli) did last night, he was great.
About Gökeres and Havertz…
They are getting closer and closer. We’re both very positive, so let’s see… The good thing is that we now have another option. There are three different options. It’s a very good learning experience for all of us, especially for me, to understand that we can be very effective with other players, with other connections, in other ways.
If he still has a point to prove when he returns…
I think that’s a very positive thing. We lost a player, two or three, at one point we lost six players up front, but the team kept winning and was very efficient. I think that’s a very positive thing and what we have to prove now is that even with everyone back, we’ll be as good as we have been and hopefully even better.
If Chelsea are the best attacking team in the league…
The sample right now, it’s hard to say because it’s a little early in the season, but they’re one of the most fun teams I’ve watched, they’re very fluid, very strong, individually talented, very clear in what they want to do, and that’s why they’re pretty tough.
About what Jesus needs to do to be ready…
That’s what we see every day, how he reacts to changes in load, and then he has to get into the chemistry of the team and understand that game time is a lot different than what he tried to recreate in training, and trying to shorten those gaps as much as possible.
About Jesus making connections…
Yes, that’s right, that’s always been one of Gabi’s qualities, the ability to empathize and bond and make the other players around him better, and he still has that, and now he’s going to have to find a way to do that with some very new players, like you said.
About the mental boost that big wins bring…
Every time you beat a top opponent, it brings certainty, security, and really positive energy. When we did that in the derby, it helped create momentum and belief for the next game. We achieved it against Bayern and now we have to carry it forward against Chelsea, but it’s a moment for the next day and we have to use it in the right way.
