Mikel Arteta faces the press ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners’ mood has flipped on its head after Wednesday night’s emphatic 4-2 victory over Chelsea which ended a rut of three straight defeats that threatened to put their top four hopes in jeopardy.
Key to the win was a brace by Eddie Nketiah who popped up with his first league goals of the season. The England under-21 international is out of contract this summer, although Arteta has previously expressed a desire to see him stay at the club.
Arsenal will be looking to continue that momentum and could be buoyed by the return of Takehiro Tomiyasu who was back in training earlier this week after a string of calf problems that have kept him out for nearly four months.
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TIMESTAMPS-
00:00 – Intro
00:05 – Tomiyasu’s return: If Tomiyasu trains today then he will be involved.
00:15 – The quick turnaround from Chelsea: We are training late again.
00:40 – The top four race: There will be a lot of twists and turns that’s for sure.
00:50 – Ten Haag’s arrival at Man United: Ten Haag has done really good, especially with Ajax in the Champions League.
01:15 – Does anything change from this point: For us no, nothing changes.
01:30 – Will Nketiah start on Saturday: We will see how Eddie recovers and how everyone else in the squad is.
01:45 – Eddie’s performance against Chelsea: It’s what Eddie does. He hasn’t had enough minutes this season.
02:05 – How the players perform when called upon: Fortunately that’s the case, and we expect that from players who come in. We have options to change.
02:30 – The challenges for the rest of the season: I’m excited and we’re going to give it a go.
02:45 – Assessing Man United’s performance against Liverpool: I’m not here to assess anyone’s performance. Liverpool were exceptional and going to Anfield is always difficult.
03:20 – On Saka taking the penalty against Chelsea: It tells me Saka is willing to take more responsibility. At his age, his confidence to step forward is brilliant.
03:50 – The mood in the dressing room post-Chelsea: After winning a dressing room is better than losing. I’m happy with how the team behave when it’s not going well.
04:20 – The spine of young/academy players in the squad: It’s down to the work the academy staff has done. You need to step in the big games and make a difference.
05:05 – Fan Tifo before the United game: I’m pleased to hear this. The engagement that the fans want to have with the team is great, they have a big part to play.
05:55 – Decisions made during Arteta’s reign: Normally when you have to make that many tough decisions, it’s difficult to continue. We’ve made these decisions and have implemented a vision that has risks but is the most efficient.
07:15 – Possible advice to Ten Haag: I’m not giving any advice, I just try to do my job.
07:40 – The potential of the squad: I think the individual and collective potential is so much bigger than what it is now.
08:30 – Football uniting with Ronaldo: I don’t think I’m allowed to talk about that. Unless you’ve experienced it then you haven’t gone through that pain.
09:25 – Lacazette’s availability: Laca will train and we’ll see. We need him.
09:55 – Elneny’s return and importance: Elneny is one of the most important players in the squad. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves.
10:15 – Elneny’s potential departure in the winter: Elneny received an offer to leave in January, but he understood that we could let another player leave.
10:40 – Elneny contract extension?: It’s another conversation that we’ll have at the end of the season. I’m really happy with him.
11:20 – Wenger’s legacy crossing his mind when taking the job: I did, but it was tiny in comparison to my excitement. I want to get this club back to Arsene’s level.
11:55 – How close was Arteta to replacing Wenger: It was close, but things happen for a reason. People made different decisions.
12:50 – End of season expectations: I don’t know. The expectation is to compete. Am I enjoying what we’re doing? Yes.
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