Every word Mikel Arteta said on Wolves vs Arsenal, Havertz, Odegaard, Calafiori and title race

Here is every word from Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal press conference ahead of the match with Wolves

Mikel Arteta faced the press ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League match with Wolves at Molineux. The Gunners boss knows his side can take a seven-point lead into the North London Derby and hurt Manchester City’s title chances without reply, for now.

There were updates on the latest team news, with a particular interest in Riccardo Calafiori and Martin Odegaard, who missed the weekend’s action. Bukayo Saka, who played centrally against Wigan, was also a player of interest for those putting questions to the Gunners’ boss.

Arteta also divulged the rigours of retraining players returning from injury, as well as the recent issues during warm-ups before matches.

Here is every word from Arteta’s press conference:

Just a couple of players to check in on if that's okay with you. I know Calafiori in the warm-up had to be replaced on the weekend. How is he, first of all?

He's fine. He was training with us today, he's feeling better and hopefully he's fit for tomorrow.

Ben White obviously came off, but they posted that he was fine. Is he okay as well?

He did a lot in the game and by the end of it he was feeling a bit of tightness in the hamstring, but he's fine.

Martin Odegaard missed out, but is he back in the mix for Wolves or maybe more for Sunday?

No, for Wolves, he's not going to be fit, but for Sunday, we are very hopeful that he can be with us.

Anyone else that we should know about?

Kai is the other one, but again, for the weekend, it's a possibility, so, looking forward to having him in the squad.

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How much was the performance of Wigan just what you needed right now in terms of physically giving some guys some game time and others rest, and then also mentally just to reset what's coming over the next few weeks?

Yeah, well very little time to reset because we're going to play a game tomorrow and then on Sunday again and then we'll continue to play. But really good because that means that we are in every competition in a really strong position as well. So it was good because I liked a lot what the players delivered, some players that didn't have many minutes. And the attitude, the way we attacked the game, it was very impressive.

And you can almost feel the kind of joy that maybe sometimes when you're week in, week out, playing under pressure, you just get that sense that there was what you wanted really, which was to enjoy it, to relish it, and just a reminder of why you're doing it rather than the pressure and the stress of week in, week out.

Because the position that we are in is a privilege and we take it because we have earned it for so long. Seven and a half months is a long time to every single day do the right things and perform at the level that we are performing today where we are. So we need to embrace that.

Tomorrow we know we're going to play a really difficult match. Our recent past with them showed how tough it was to actually win the three points. I know Rob really well and how he sets his team, so it's going to be a tough test.

And just finally from me, having had a little bit of a break, we are back on it, you know, in the whole title race, and everyone looking at, I know you're not, but everyone looking at everyone else and who's playing which game where. Pep sort of spoke after the cup game on the weekend and said, you know, we are where we need to be. And I know that my players understand what to do kind of from here on in because we've been there and we've done it.

When you look at your players, what gives you the confidence this year that although you haven't been there and done it, this year you can go and do it?

Well, they have given me the confidence of what we've done up to now every single day. And that's the biggest reassurance within every competition and the manner we've done it. With all the challenges that we've faced already, it gives me confidence because it's the way we prepare.

I don’t get the confidence for the things that I imagine, [I get it] for the things that I see every day in the preparation and how much the players want it. And we are where we want to be, that's for sure.

Do you think we look too much into it in terms of because they've been there and done it? How much does that really matter in players' minds?

I don't know. Obviously, we are looking at what we are doing and especially what we have to do in the present time. Tomorrow, how we have to perform against Wolves to be better than them and win the game and that's it.

You just mentioned you know Bob Edwards very well. When he was managing Luton, he gave you some tight matches there as well. What do you make of Wolves this season and what do you expect of him to buy?

Well, because most of the game, that's what they are doing against opponents. And he came in a really difficult moment for the club. And I know how he feels about the club and the way he works.

And it's going to be very tough. If we do the things that we do really well, we have a big chance to win the game. And we need to play as well with that purpose and confidence.

We know from yourself and the players how much of a leader Merino is. And obviously how much he helps tactically on the pitch. He's very smart in that aspect.

I just wanted a little bit of insight because some Premier League managers like to keep the recovery of players quite separate to the main squad. What's your philosophy when there's injured players? Do you like to keep them very included?

Do you like to keep them around, especially if someone of his calibre?

Yeah, well it's a time for everything. Because it's what we want as a team and what the players and the families as well need at some point. So it's a long-term injury.

So he's with us now and very involved with us in every meeting at the moment. And he's going to have a period as well because the injury requires and I think the body demands and the mind demands as well some time in a different part of the world next to his family. And then he will be back with us for the end of the season.

And lastly, we've seen you play with a secure double pivot of Zubimendi and Declan Rice in front of the centre-backs, which has allowed some of your full-backs to come up in the half-space and be in that area whilst your attackers are sort of staying wide. What do you want your full-backs to be doing when they're given the chances to further up the pitch?

Well, depending on the position that we are playing and which space, as you mentioned, occupying. The width, the pace, the pocket and have that functionality in the team I think is really, really positive. Then we will adapt to the players that we have because some of them are more comfortable in certain spaces. But I think what our full-backs are doing this season, it's another level.

You will be well aware that of course we are going into the Chinese Year of the Horse.

I'm Spanish, yeah?

Yeah, you are Spanish. Chinese Year of the Horse is like all over the world. Anyway, you weren't able to win at a canter against Wolves at the Emirates. So, are you a bit more wary going to Molineux tomorrow?

Well, I think the understanding of the difficulty of the match is always in a game in the Premier League. But when you come to the last stages of the season, you know the importance of every win and what you have to do. And I sense the team in a really good emotional state.

Really looking forward to play tomorrow. And that's why I play with that energy, that confidence and I'm sure we will continue to do what we have done.

And is it good after Sunday's win over Wigan in the FA Cup to be getting back in the saddle in terms of the Premier League?

It's great to be in every competition. It's great to change the mood from competition to competition and adapt to that in the manner that we are doing. So, yeah, every competition is very welcome.

And of course, finally, with every win that you manage to achieve, and hopefully you'll win for your sake tomorrow at Wolves, the finishing line comes into sight. But can we expect Arsenal to gallop away with the title if we keep on winning games?

That's what we're going to do. And the more wins we win in the next few weeks, the better we're going to be in the position that we want to be in.

Last season, Mikel Merino had a big impact towards the end of the season, playing in an unfamiliar position. Bukayo Saka had an impressive 45 minutes playing as a number ten against Wigan. When players have these impacts and it's positive, do you feel like it's best just to let them continue and see what happens?

Yeah, obviously, the circumstances of certain players as well sometimes force you to do certain things. But Mikel adapted incredibly well to a nine position because we missed Kai and Gabi at the time. And now we have issues with midfielders, and players are stepping in.

Bukayo's case as well, it's obviously one that we need to consider for the future. But really good, especially that the players respond to different types of roles in the manner that they are doing.

How did he react to it after coming up for 45 minutes? Did he feel like he enjoyed playing as a number 10?

I think he does and everything that brings a challenge to him and he needs to prove something. I think it takes something from him and I think it's something positive.

I just wanted to ask you a bit about the dynamic between Noni and Bukayo. Because it's quite an unusual situation where you've got two players of similar ages competing, not just with their club but for an England place as well.

And yet it seems they have a really positive, supportive relationship. I'm just wondering what your experience has been like working with them this season?

Well, this morning we had another one. They were in the gym, and they were testing, and everybody was trying to compete with each other, and those two were hilarious, as usual. And it's great to witness because ego is natural, you know.

It's the way they like each other so much, they're constantly together. And yet there is some competition within the places, but they take it from an incredible side, and then the team gets benefit from that, and they get benefit from that as well.

And that kind of chemistry that exists between them personally, do you think that could have a positive impact on the pitch playing together?

It always does. I mean, anybody who has played sports or worked with people in their teams and their environments that you are willing to see and do things together in the morning is much better with someone that you want to look at their face. So, yeah, it's very pleasant. I think they enjoy their company and I think they make each other better.

And, obviously, Noni and Bukayo know each other really well. When you were thinking about bringing Noni here, is Bukayo one of the people you spoke to about him? Yes, I did.

Especially with the England boys, obviously, because they knew him really well. With some people that had Nani in the academy as well, because it's very important to understand Noni's trajectory and how players and coaches feel about their experience with him.

I want to ask you about retraining bravery in players after they've suffered injuries. And, in particular, when a player has an impact injury, obviously, with Kai at United or Martin [Odegaard] against West Ham, Calafiori on Italy duty last season. And when a player returns from those types of injuries, is it a challenge for them to then have the bravery to go back in for those impact moments? And how do you train that confidence again?

Great question. Really difficult to replicate something that you don't want to replicate as well the actual action that you got a player injured.

And, especially, the bad long-term injuries that you just described. So, it is a tricky zone. Sometimes it has to happen naturally.

Obviously, the more you have players around, the more unexpected things happen. And you go through them almost without realising. That's, in my opinion, the best way.

Sometimes when players get muscular injuries, fans and critics talk about the idea of losing a yard of pace after a player returns from those. Is there any credit in that? Or can a player recover 100% of that kind of muscular spring, if you like, in those moments?

It depends on the injury. Of course, if it's a hamstring and you have to reproduce an action at max speed and you have the handbrake on a little bit because you don't want to expose, it can happen. If you have a reaction and you are scared to shoot from a distance as well, and you just make a pass, it can be in the brain. But I think part of the rehab and part of the people that are involved in that process is to give that reassurance, to do the drills, the exercises, the treatment that the players need.

So, when they are there, they are 100% able to do the action when the game requires that.

I think it's three times now in the last couple of months you've had an injury in the warm-up and had to make a late change.

Four.

Is that something you're looking into? Because that seems incredibly rare.

Yeah, big time. They were very different. The first one was with Willi [Saliba] when he rolled his ankle against Liverpool. Then we had two incidents with Richy in the warm-up in a really similar way.

And the other one was with Bukayo, after he was rested on midweek and didn't play against Kairat, then against Leeds. It's very unusual. It probably happened once or twice, I think, in six years that I've been here.

And it happened four times [this season]. So, obviously, we are looking out to it. On the Willi one, it's very difficult to see.

Sometimes, as well, you want to try and test a player before, to make sure that he's ready in the warm-up. It's another opportunity to do that. And Bukayo is very random because he never gave any symptoms or signals away that this could happen in the warm-up. That's what it is. We have to learn.

Has it changed almost how you approach matches? Do you now spend more time on alternative scenarios in case this does happen?

Yeah. I can feel my body. I'm more aware of it. So, in the office, at the moment, I hear my door. And somebody is stepping in and I'm like, No, please. [Laughs] Because it's a moment that is very tricky.

Because when you change Ricky for Bukayo, you have to change a lot of things within the game plan. Position is a lot of things that are different. And you have two minutes to do that.

So, yeah. It makes you a better coach because you have to be, What if? What if?

And there are more and more what-ifs just before the game and then a lot during the game. So, you just need to be more prepared.

I was going to ask about the warm-ups, as well. It's a stupid question, but what is the warm-up for? Do you do the same warm-up every time?

Maybe we have to change the word. To get warm? Hopefully, they are warm. To be ready, to be at their best mentally, physically. To be active, to be connected with the teammates. That's what the warm-up is for.

And to start to have the feeling and probably start to turn the body. And the game is coming. The adrenaline is going to start to pick up.

The testosterone has to be in the right spots. And you're ready to compete.

Is it regimented? Do you have a set warm-up for every game? Or do you change it?

No, we have. I mean, I was a player as well, and we like sets and routines. And that's the way you tell your body as well. It's coming, it's coming, it's coming.

And to change that sometimes is tricky. But it's a really good area to have a look at what will happen if we don't do the warm-up. Because then at half-time, we go at half-time, and we sit almost for 15 minutes, and then we go full gas again in the second half. So, yeah, maybe something to think about.

Just finally, this game against Wolves is obviously rearranged at a fairly short notice. I know you can't change it, obviously, but were you happy with how that was done?

It is done. And obviously, it's not in our hands. We have to play now, and we are very happy to play tomorrow.

This weekend, you played Bukayo in a 10-role. It raised some questions, is he going to play again. But will he stay in his current role, out wide, and you incorporate a skill set with him in birding more? Is that something you have planned?

Yeah, depending on the options that we have available, we will try to be as good as possible. And I will have another opportunity, another option there, which is great to have.

Declan's having a great season. He seems more polished. There's been a question about him being able to pass through the lines and progress the ball without driving.

This season, he's improved. He's only second behind Zubimendi. Is it something that he went away on work terms or something that's put emphasis on him to work on and become more well-rounded?

Yeah, with every player, we have certain targets and things that we want to develop in the games, especially that can give huge value to the team. And that's one of the areas with Declan that we need to continue to do that because he can be such a threat from every angle, any position, to damage and hurt the opposition.