2 hours ago
2
Here is every word the Arsenal boss said ahead of the Gunners' clash against Brighton
Mikel Arteta has faced the media ahead of Arsenal's Premier League clash against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Gunners go into Saturday's match top of the table, with Manchester City two points behind Arteta's side. Ahead of the fixture, Arteta gave his thoughts on the Seagulls, provided the latest injury updates and much more!
Below is every word Arteta said ahead of the match at Emirates Stadium.
What have you made of Brighton this season so far and their style of play?
“Well, obviously, it is a club that I admire a lot - and what they’ve done over the last 10 years is incredible. They have had different managers, and now Fabian has come in and brought some very different ideas as well. A lot of energy, a really, really committed team, and they look very, very together. They have a lot of quality, they can play in different ways, they have versatile players, so it will be a tough match.”
You spoke about a really busy December period, how helpful is it now to be having two home games in this period, are you going to have time to switch off as well as the boys?
“Well, we need to obviously prepare for what is coming, but at least tonight and tomorrow I will have some time with my family that are here. And there is time to enjoy, there is time to work, and enjoy the pleasure and the opportunity that we have to be playing at this level, in this country, with the history that we have here.”
Calafiori in the top five players for being the least dribbled past this season. Is he cover for Gabriel if needed? Happy with his progress?
“Well, he’s done that (played at centre-back). What he didn’t do before is play as a full-back. So we bought him as well, because we believed that he could do both of them. Those stats are really important, especially if they’re still aggressive to win the ball. I don’t want players just going backwards as they don’t want to be dribbled [past]. So those two (Calafiori and Gabriel) have a great mindset. Richy’s availability has been really good this season as well, and I think tonight he has played a really good game.”
Kai Havertz back in training for the first time this week, how close was he to making this one [v Palace]?
“Quite close. I think it will be a matter of days, not weeks. Let’s see in the next steps how he responds to that. But he is, again, a player that we missed a lot, a player that brings the team into a different dimension. So, I am really happy to have him back soon.
And do you think we’ll see Gabriel back across the next week or so?
“We have to wait and see. He hasn't trained yet, so he’s still doing his rehab. But hopefully as quickly as possible [he can be back], because we know the situation now we have in the backline.”
Pleased Jesus played well over an hour v Palace? And what does he bring to the team?
“Yeah, he’s very fit. We’ve been gradually increasing his minutes, but today as long as he was okay, everybody was happy to let him go. And before we started to take risks and get him into fatigue mode, we took him off, but I am very happy.
Brighton home last season you drew and Declan Rice was sent off…
“I remember very well. I was very hacked off in the manner that we played with ten men. So hopefully it is going to be very different this time."
It came in that period of the season, you had a few red cards, bizarre red cards at the start of the season, but you haven’t had that this year, can you talk a bit about that?
“I think the rules are different now. So, we paid a big price with that rule, and hopefully that stays away and we continue to play with 11 players."
You’re actually top in Fair Play League?
“I didn’t know. That is good, very good.”
O nly in December, but top of the Premier League, top of the Champions League, semi-final of the League Cup, the players seem to believe that the fans are talking about a quadruple, are you thinking that’s a possibility?
“I’m just thinking about going home, have some rest, enjoy one day and then start to talk about Brighton. That is what we have to do."
It’s a great run, isn’t it? A winning mentality.
“It is great, we are here, happy Christmas to everybody. Thank you very much.”
English (US) ·