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Media. I almost forgot my own channel there.
Yeah, back again for this week's Presser. This
time it's the biggest game of the season. I don't
think you can get much bigger than a Liverpool
and Arsenal fixture. I'm here to analyse and
deduce... Bad words, aren't I? Yeah, I'm here
to analyse and deduce every word from Arteta's
pre -Liverpool presser. So without any further
ado, Mikel Arteta faced the press ahead of our
trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool in the Premier
League this weekend. During his press conference
at Asobo Realty Training Centre, Mikel gave an
injury update on the likes of Bukayo Saka, Kai
Havertz and Martin Odegaard, as well as assessing
Sunday's opponents. Find out everything he had
to say with our transcript below. Makayo is doing
better, but he will be out for a few weeks, unfortunately.
Well, a few weeks is a pretty ambiguous statement.
Obviously, Mikel doesn't like giving specifics
in terms of prognoses of injured players. But
one thing's for sure, he will be out of the Liverpool
game. I've been hearing whispers that he's...
Probably going to be due back in and around September,
whether it's the Nottingham Forest game, I doubt
it. If not, hopefully, fingers crossed, he is
back for Man City in mid -September. On if surgery
is required on his hamstring. No surgery. It's
not as bad as the previous one. Very fortunate,
very unfortunate to pick it up because it's on
the other side. It's an action that requires
full power from him. Then he clashes with the
opponent. He needs to change pace again. And
he felt something. So he will be out for a couple
of weeks. So yeah, once again, he reiterates
that Bakayo is going to be out for a couple of
weeks. Thankfully, one of those weeks includes
an international week per se. So he's going to
obviously miss the two England games. This gives
him an opportunity to get a rest. try and kind
of recover and be back ready for the Premier
League in a few weeks. On if he'll be available
after the international break, I don't know.
Let's see how he evolves in the next few days
and weeks. Repeat the scan and see where he's
at. So yeah, Mikel Arteta being very coy, keeping
his cards close to his chest. Obviously, it wouldn't
surprise me if... Saka's on the bench for Nottingham
Forest. Wouldn't surprise me if he's out for
another two, three weeks. Who knows? On Odegaard's
availability, once again, we don't know yet.
He hasn't trained yet. And if he does, it will
be tomorrow. He's doing everything he can. We're
doing everything that we can to make him available.
But we'll have to wait and see tomorrow. Well,
more... More, you know, vague statements from
Marteta. And obviously tomorrow is after the
press conference. So you're going to have to
find out from him post -match. And guess what?
He's not going to tell you. On if it's serious.
No, there's an injury there. But hopefully, if
everything goes well, he can cope with it. But
we don't know yet. So, yeah, don't need to go
into that statement. There's nothing there on
how long it will take Havertz to recover from
surgery. I think it will be weeks, but I don't
know how many months. Very unfortunate. Very
sad for him. He did tremendously well to recover
from the previous one. He'd never had an injury
before. And suddenly. This happens. But this
is our profession, our football. We need to live
with that. We lost another big player for many,
many weeks. But it, the surgery, was the right
thing to do. The doctors advised, and I think
he was very convinced at the end, that it was
the quickest and best way to resolve that issue.
So, yeah, like I mentioned last week, yes, one
thing, it's all well and good to have it. It's
never been injured before. He's been injured
before because the last time was his first time
and now this injury is the second time. But yeah,
the main thing is obviously he gets his head
down, gets his mentality right and gets himself
in the best shape possible for when he does return
because he's going to have his work cut out getting
into that first team, especially if Victor Yocarez
continues. Continues to score goals. So he's
got off the mark with two last week. And he'll
be chomping at the bit to add to that tally at
Anfield. On losing three big players to injury.
It's the start of the season and we lost three
of our main players. But that's the reality.
A very unfortunate situation. Three very different
situations. But that's why we keep insisting,
like everybody else, you need a... big squad
to be able to cope and sustain that level. Well,
one thing's for sure, Arsenal arguably have the
best squad in terms of strength and depth and
quality as a kind of ratio. So, it's a big opportunity
for players like Ethan Wanyeri, Noni Madweke
and Eberechi Eze, who is obviously coming to
the club now, to stake a claim and show what
they're made of. I've seen a few polls basically,
in other words, asking who would you rather start
for the Anfield game, whether it's Nonny on the
right or whether Ethan in the centre, which would
affect where Eberich Eze would play because you
would like to think Eze would start that game.
So you might go Nonny on the right and then Ethan
inside him on the centre. Right centre mid. With.
Take a pick on the left. Whether it's Trossard
or Martinelli. Or you might go. Ethan on the
right. Eze in the middle. And then. Trossard
or Martinelli on the left. So yeah there's options
there. On White and Norgaard. That's another
two. That we don't know yet. Again. Tomorrow
we have another day. Let's see how they evolve.
And there's a chance to keep them involved in
the game. So yeah, White and Norgard won't start
that game anyway because of Timber's form and
because of Zuma Mendy's form. And the fitness
issue is just whether to determine whether they'll
make the squad or not. So as in a place on the
bench. On Eze's first week with us. Really impressed
with him. I heard a lot of things about him.
I spoke to a lot of people about him. Really
bright, very special energy, a special aura around
him. And he's really willing. He's already gathered
a lot of information on the things that we want
to see on the pitch. but especially making sure
that he has the freedom and the capacity to express
his quality, which is the reason why we brought
him here. So yeah, Eze's ability is self -explanatory.
You just need to watch a couple minutes clips
of him to see that this boy has immense talent.
He's an exceptional dribbler, got great balance,
fantastic shot, great shooting ability, good
strength. You know, a really sturdy kid. And
yeah, on top of that, obviously, he's got a really
good character about him. Very intelligent. And
he's very good at chess. On if he'll go straight
into the team, as if he's going to tell you that.
We have options in that position, and that's
a good thing that we have this year. Let's see.
As I said, another day, and I'm not going to
give you any clues. Obviously, yeah. Like I said,
as if he's going to tell you that. But the key
two words in that statement is this year. So
he's essentially saying last year we didn't have
strength and depth. Yeah, like I mentioned, I
alluded to Arsenal have a very strong squad now.
Stacked, especially in defence. Midfield's pretty
good. But yeah, we're losing three midfielders,
if you like. if you want to call Havertz a midfielder
so let's see what some of the squad players are
made of a big opportunity for certain players
to state their claim to start on how he adds
to our ability to be unpredictable we have a
lot of players now that can play in different
positions and they can fill gaps when we have
them looking at the start of the season that
we have already had with injuries that's going
to be very necessary so I'm very happy to have
the ability to do that. So, yeah. I mean, a lot
of this is to do with our strength and depth.
I feel like I'm repeating myself here. But, yeah,
it's a big opportunity for certain players to
state their claim. So, it'll be interesting to
see what kind of players he does go in a starting
line -up. I think he's going to go... It's a
difficult one. I think Eze will start. I think
Noni Madaweke will start on the right. And it's
just a question of whether he goes Trossard or
Martinelli on the left, which is a difficult
one. It's a really difficult one to call. So,
yeah, we'll see. Something tells me he'll go
with Trossard because of Trossard's history against
Liverpool. And obviously, Martinelli is a good
option off the bench with his pace. On if we
would prefer to play Liverpool later in the season,
it is what it is. We have to play them. They
are champions. They are champions for a reason.
Because they deserve to be champions. They were
the better team last year. The most consistent
one. The one that found ways to win in many different
ways. And we want to be that team this year.
We need to go to Anfield with that spirit and
that conviction. So yeah, I think Liverpool were
certainly the most consistent one. We both lost
four games. Liverpool might argue that they lost
two after they won the league. But then we could
argue that we lost to Bournemouth because...
we had our eyes on a Real Madrid game and things
like that. We lost two games early, quite early,
to Newcastle and Bournemouth before December.
And then we lost two games after January, which
was to West Ham and to Bournemouth. The West
Ham one, we got caught on the break. I think,
yeah, to summarise, Arsenal and Liverpool both
lost four games last season. The difference was
Liverpool, like Arteta alluded to, were able
to break down low blocks where we struggled with
that. A lot to do with that was, yeah, partially
Arteta for the tactics. slow pedestrian at times
but bad luck is involved was involved in that
as well with injuries red cards things like that
and yeah so anyway that's last season but let's
look forward to this season um it's clearly not
much between Arsenal and Liverpool um the bookies
clearly agree with that because they're both
seven to four joint favorites as we speak but
that's Arsenal with Eze and Liverpool without
or without signing another addition to the squad,
which I think they need. I think they need one
or two players. I think their squad's slightly
light, especially if they're going to lose Harvey
Elliott in the coming days to Leipzig, most likely.
So, this is a big opportunity for Arsenal to
go to Anfield, where they haven't won in 14 years,
not 13 years. And, yeah, lay down a statement.
On what Eze will add to the squad. I think when
you are next to him, you are comfortable. He's
got a big smile. He picks teams apart. He asks
you the right questions and then just let him
flow with the ball and the ability he has to
pick passes, to drive past people effortlessly
and just to understand the timing of things.
It's very impressive. Yeah, Eze is one of those
players that you'll call a maverick in the nicest
possible way. He's just very instinctive. He's
got the God -given dribbling ability, which not
many players have. I said last week in some of
my interviews that He's kind of like Nasri Djoko
with a bit of... I forgot to add, he's a bit
like JJ Okocha in that number 10 role. Stricto
said he reminds him of Yoyo Torre with that sheer
drive, that power. But yeah, he's going to be
a mesmerising player to watch and I can't wait
to see him get on the pitch in that number 10
shirt. And whether or not he plays in that position
remains to be seen. On if it's a season -defining
game against Liverpool, a very important one,
and we want to continue building the momentum
that we are in right now. Going to those grounds,
those stadiums against this kind of opposition
is what we want and coming away from those big
games, winning in a really convincing way, that's
the objective. Is it season -defining? Well,
I mean, you might argue it's a bit too early,
but what I do think it would do, it will fill
the boys with immense confidence if we're able
to go to Anfield, the stadium, for so many reasons.
One, we don't really do well there. Two... They're
the champion, reigning champions. And three,
we haven't won them in 14 years, like I already
mentioned. So if we can go there and kind of
jab them early, they haven't really played well
in the first two games, albeit they did get late
winners through people like Chiesa and Rio Ngamoa.
A young man from Newham coming on to score the
winner for them on Monday. But yeah, if Arsenal
can go and win there, that would send shockwaves
through the league. I don't think it will be
a surprise per se. But yeah, over the last few
years, I think four draws in a row at Anfield.
So something's got to give. Hopefully they can
get the three points. What needs to change for
us to win at Anfield this time around? be better
than we've been in those games more efficient
and do what we've done with many other stats
that we had for even longer just go there and
be convinced that we can go to anfield and win
yeah i mean a lot to do a lot of it's to do with
belief i think um when we played them was it
in may april may time we had spells where we
were the better team but like In the last few
years at Anfield, both teams have had spells,
we're the better team in the game. So you might
argue in all those occasions, probably a draw
is a fair result. However, Anfield is a stadium
where it doesn't take much to get the fans up
for it. So we've just got to have our wits about
us, be focused, be professional, be determined,
have confidence and go out there and give it
our all. on if he's noticed differences in how
Liverpool played this season. I think the individual
characteristics at the end are what changed.
how they use the ball as a team. And it's clear
that a certain player receiving the ball in certain
areas with different qualities, the outcome is
going to be different. They've had a lot of signings,
really good signings. They keep evolving the
squad like we have done as well. So it's a big
match ahead. Yeah, I mean, Liverpool brought
in a lot of pace this season. People like Jeremy
Fringpong, who was beat out for that game on
Sunday, and Milos Kirkez bring a lot of verve,
a lot of pace, a lot of thrust. attacking, you
know, attacking vivaciousness down the lines,
give them width. And then obviously people like
Florian Wurz or Vietz, give them quality, you
know, good touches, can bring people into play.
Yeah, number 10, a lot of the top sides have
brought in a number 10 this summer. Tottenham
have just... Well, it looks like they're going
to sign Xavi Simmonds, who's been at Barcelona,
PSG. And then, obviously, Hugo Eketike. Exceptional
player. A lot of quality. Good, sharp first touch.
Amazing finisher. Young. Impressionable. confident,
talented. So yeah, they've obviously, all these
players have come into their starting lineup
effectively. So it's half the team that's changed.
So obviously, yeah, like Arteta said, the characteristics
of Liverpool will change as a result because
someone like Frimpong is completely different
to someone like Trent. On if we targeted players
like Jokeres and Eze, who could be good for transitions.
We have to add players who add value to things
that can define football matches. And with those
two, they have the ability at the end to make
the final action in many ways, to finish with
the ball in the back of the net, which is the
outcome that we want in every action that we
have in our attacking phase. And those two, they're
going to add these individual actions and magic
moments. And that's what we need to win games.
So, yeah, once again, this remarkable buzzword.
In transition, which is on the counter -attack,
effectively means just your efficiency when you
win the ball off the opponent. Efficiency and
speed, in essence, really. So people with speed,
pace, good dribbling ability. So people like
Madaweke, Wanyeri, Saka, Martinelli. Jokeres,
who have pace. So in this transition, as they
say, should be really real threats. So obviously
Liverpool do leave a lot of spaces. I doubt they'll
play like that against us. But then again, Arne
Schlott, you know, he's got that thing about
him that we're going to play our way no matter
who we play kind of thing. And it is what it
is. They'll believe that they have the quality
to outscore any opponent they play. So it'll
be interesting to see Arsenal play a team that
would not really show us respect as we're used
to on a weekly basis. So that's why this game
could go anyway, really. So I think the neutral
will probably go a draw. But yeah, it'll be interesting
to see what tactics Arteta does go with, whether
he tries to go toe -to -toe. or show Liverpool
a bit of respect. But he's no reason to have
to do that. Obviously, you do respect Liverpool
as the champions, as a team that, you know, finished
10 points above us last season. However, we've
started the season with two wins, as they have,
and I don't think he should have any real reason
to not think we can go there, play our game,
and emerge victorious, emerge the victors. On
if he worries about keeping everyone happy with
the depth we have now. No. I think the word is
that I care that everybody is happy, is as happy
as they possibly can be. That's a big part of
my job, our job at the end, to make sure that
every player feels that he's fulfilling his potential
and he's doing what he loves the most, which
is to play football. So far with the squad that
we have and the five, six, seven injuries that
we already have, we haven't had many problems
making a squad. But with everybody available,
that will be a different scenario. But we're
going to have to live with that and that's why
the competition is going to raise the level for
everybody. So, yeah, I mean, I think it's clear
Jakob Kivior's had a good opportunity to go to
Porto. And it's great that we've actually, in
my view, and I'm sure in many people's views,
have actually upgraded our depth for Gabriel
Magalhaes with someone like Piero Hincapia, who
obviously... is Bayer Leverkusen starting left
centre half in a back three so that's a good
essentially one in one out kind of thing so you're
not really losing depth there and you're actually
upgrading your quality Jakub Kivior obviously
has an opportunity to start for Porto in the
Portuguese league wishing him all the best obviously
the deal is not complete as of yet but it will
get done barring barring something crazy. But
yeah, I'm sure that will be done. And I expect
Hincapia to come in as depth for Gabriel. So
yeah, when Gabriel needs a little rest or a breather,
let's say in a cup game or one or two games here
and there, we're not really losing quality. On
if Martinelli could leave? No. I think Gabby
has been a super important player for us and
he's going to remain very, very, very important.
The fact that we have options with different
qualities, that's going to fulfil what we want
because every opponent is going to require different
things and then the state, the moment, the way
that those players are impacting the game, that
competition is needed. We have him in many other
areas of the pitch and he's needed. especially
in the front line, to start the game and finish
the game. So I'm very happy with what we have.
Well, I mean, he mentioned very three times,
so I think it's fair to say Gabriel Martinelli
is not going to be sold in this window, but obviously
form's been a very big issue with him over the
last... I'm going to call it 12 to 18 months.
He's got to definitely improve if he wants to
remain an Arsenal player in the medium to long
term. However, right now, he's probably going
to have to fight for his place with the likes
of Noni Madaweke and Leandro Trossard. Really,
really, really proving to be fierce competition
for him. or if Liverpool are the favourites to
win the league. I think the favourite is always
the one that won the previous year and that's
it. Somebody has to come and take that crown
away from them and that's what I suppose the
rest of us are going to try to do. We've already
started with the first two games in the Premier
League and that's the aim, to be better than
them. Well, we've got to watch out for Chelsea
and Man City for me. I mean, I know Man City
did lose last week, but... They've got immense
quality, technical players of the highest technical
ability there is. And Chelsea just look like
a hungry, young side driven by people like Moises,
Caicedo, Cole Palmer. And they're building a
good spine there, obviously. Now with Jao Pedro
looking like he's doing well as well. So, I mean,
for me, Chelsea, the dark horse is not only for
the Premier League, but for the Champions League
as well. on if Saka's hamstring injuries are
a concern yes it is obviously a big one especially
when we talk about a sprinter a player that gets
into that zone very often in a football match
that needs that burst that change of rhythm of
pace to be as threatening as possible we'll learn
again why it happened and make him stronger unfortunately
injuries are part of your career he hasn't had
that many to be fair, with that amount of games
that he's played at his age. That is something
that we want to eradicate for sure. Well, yeah,
Saka is going to be 24 next month. He might be
24 by the time he next plays. But, yes, slightly
concerning. He's had a hamstring injury. However,
injury is part and parcel of the game. I think
it's just important that when he does come back
to be fearless, to make sure he doesn't rush
himself back. just to be fearless and play the
game that he wants to play and not have second
thoughts and think, oh, I might get injured.
I think that's the key. Your mental fortitude,
your mental state of mind. So as long as that's
right, as long as he doesn't come back too soon
than when he's needed, then I don't think it
should be an issue because he's a young man.
He's obviously approaching his mid -20s now.
And yeah, the players respect him. And for me,
He's our second stroke third captain. I mean,
I don't really want to order it. The four names
obviously are that captain aside. Pick who you
may as the captain. Declan Rice, Gabriel, Odegaard
and Saka. They're the four leaders in the team.
I'm going to get involved in who should be the
captain. On the subject of captains, on who is
in the leadership group since Jorginho left,
there are a few. I think at some point it will
come out. There are a few players, a few names.
I'm very happy with the outcome and the way it
was done as well. I think it's a very good reflection
of the group. Yeah, so I alluded to that just
now. But yeah, for me, I think the most respected
player in the squad is clearly Saka. Every player
has... For whatever reason it is, whether you
respect how he carries himself as a man, you
respect his ability as a player, or you respect
his, I don't know, his faith with God. People
like Timba, Eze, Saka, they've got that kind
of same realm with their relationship with God.
However, Saka, because he's come from the team,
what he's done, how he carries himself, I think
all those aspects make him the most respected.
It's closely followed by people like Declan Rice.
A leader of men. His attitude, his charisma,
his fight, his quality. All of those qualities
give him respect from his Arsenal teammates,
his compatriots. And then obviously Gabriel,
he's an enforcer. He gives everything. He's improved
immensely. You know, he'll put his head where
it hurts. He's our kind of Nemanja Vidić, John
Terry type. cult hero so that gives him you know
um brownie points in the captain's you know who's
to be captain and then obviously finally last
but not least you've got martin odegaard a current
captain and in arteta's words won the vote by
a country mile so for a reason Odegaard draws
respect. Quality, immense quality football. A
footballer of immense quality. He's been playing
football for over 10 years now. Started when
he was 15, 16. He's been at the top clubs. Real
Madrid, you know, had a stint at Sociedad. Been
at Arsenal now. Knows the club inside out. A
well -respected member of the club. And I don't
see no reason at this moment in time to depose
him of the captaincy. So, yeah, I think those
four are the main ones and you've probably got
another few involved in there. You might see
Eze involved in the leadership group as a 27
-year -old Premier League experienced player.
Speaking of Eze, on if Eze is a throwback to
players like Kozula and Rosicki. Yeah, they have
a different feel of the ball. Everything glides
and moves so smoothly. They are beautiful to
watch. The way they carry the ball, the way they
take touches, the way they turn. Eberre for sure
has got this talent. Yeah, he's a throwback.
Arsene Wenger type Arsenal midfielder where we
had loads of these type of players like Alexander
Khleb, Thomas Wazicki, Jack Wilshere, Samir Nazri.
We had loads. We were stacked with these type
of players. And obviously we lacked creativity
for a few years, but it's amazing to have a player
like Eze back in the squad. So that's that. That
was my... I've gone blank. Yeah, so yeah, that
was my analysis of Arteta's pre -match presser
of Arsenal versus Liverpool at Anfield Sunday.
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