Tag Archives: Mikel Arteta

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Mikel Arteta anticipates Arsenal’s Europa return.

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Mikel Arteta has admitted that he’s looking forward to competing with Arsenal in this season’s Europa League.

The Gunners missed out on European football last season for the first time since 1995/96, shortly before Arsene Wenger took charge.

Arsenal became regular fixtures in the Champions League under Wenger, qualifying for the competition for 19 consecutive seasons, before they dropped down into the Europa League for the 2017/18 campaign.

Three seasons of European football at that level followed before Arsenal missed out on European qualification altogether – Arteta leading the club to an eighth-place Premier League finish in his first season in charge.

But after coming fifth last season, Arteta’s Arsenal are now back in the Europa League, and the Spaniard admitted to the club’s official website that he’s looking forward to their group games against PSV Eindhoven, Bodo/Glimt and FC Zurich

“We missed it last year so much: those nights at the Emirates, the atmosphere, playing against European teams. The preparation is very different, and it’s great,” Arteta said.

“We have to maintain the level of performance we are at right now and the demand will be to do it every three days, which is what you are hoping for when you are at this club,” he added about the need for squad rotation.

“Rotation depends on the level of the opposition, the state of our squad and where everybody is. Let’s take it game by game, see how the fitness of the team is and we’ll make the best possible decisions.

“Does rotation mean we rotate two players, three or 10? You have to weigh up the amount of minutes they have spent together [on the pitch] and find a strategy to get the best out of the team and get the right balance without dropping the level of performance. You need to win today and play a team who is going to get you there.”

Arsenal currently top the Premier League table after winning their first four games, the last of which was a 2-1 comeback win over Fulham at the Emirates Stadium

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Mikel Arteta discusses details of ‘really demanding’ Amazon docuseries.

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed Amazon docuseries ‘All or Nothing’ filming was ‘really demanding’ and has admitted he hasn’t watched the footage yet.

The docuseries is due to be released on 4 August and will document the Gunners’ 2021/22 campaign – during which Arteta’s side narrowly missed out on UEFA Champions League football.

Speaking to the press during the club’s pre-season tour of North America, Arteta opened up about his experiences being filmed ’24/7′ (via ESPN).

He said: “Honestly, it was challenging but as well I think it was an incredible experience personally, for the club and everybody can see the reality without any boundaries about how it works on a daily basis at the club.

“On a personal level obviously it was really demanding because you are on camera for 24/7.

“You tend to forget about it. So when they talk about Big Brother houses and people can do certain things, it is true because I have experience that you forget about the cameras.

“Probably in the documentary you will see, that I don’t think that now unfortunately. Now probably if we are going to have a camera there, I would not do it. But they are done.”

When asked about his thoughts on the docuseries and whether or not any footage was cut out, Arteta replied: “I haven’t seen anything. I think I’m the only person at a senior level that hasn’t seen it.”

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Mikel Arteta admits he is at fault over Arsenal’s slump

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Mikel Arteta has refused to blame the Arsenal players for the team’s recent underwhelming form, instead insisting he must take most of the responsibility.

The Gunners look set to miss out on Champions League football after consecutive defeats to Tottenham and Newcastle have left them two points behind the former with just one game left to play – Spurs need to lose to bottom-side Norwich to give Arsenal a chance.

After the loss to Newcastle, midfielder Granit Xhaka did not hold back in his scathing assessment of the squad, blasting their weak mentality and urging some of the team to ‘stay at home’ if they aren’t feeling up for the fight.

Unsurprisingly, Arteta refused to follow suit and instead urged critics to focus on him.

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“I am the maximum responsible [person] all the time,” he said.

“If somebody has created an expectation this year that no one in this room probably would talk about at the start of this season, it’s those players that are there.”

The defeat leaves Arsenal needing a massive favour from Norwich, who must beat Spurs to give the Gunners any hope of returning to the top four. Spurs’ +15 advantage when it comes to goal difference means, should they draw against Norwich, then Arsenal would need to beat Everton by 16 goals to move ahead.

“We need to win and we need a defeat from them, and we know that in football, that’s always possible, and if anything happens, you have to be there in order to do that,” Arteta said of his side’s top four hopes.

“Today, you have to put your head down, swallow all the disappointment that we all feel, hopefully, and tomorrow start again.”

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UCL: Mikel Arteta tags Tottenham clash as “most defining moment”

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Mikel Arteta has labelled Arsenal’s north London derby against Tottenham on Thursday as the “defining moment” of their season as they chase a return to the Champions League.

Eddie Nketiah’s double sealed a 2-1 victory over struggling Leeds on Sunday to leave Arsenal on the brink of ending their five-year exile from top-tier European football.

Fourth placed Arsenal sit four points clear of fifth placed Tottenham with three games left for both teams.

A victory in the crunch clash at Tottenham would be enough to book a Champions League berth for the first time since 2017 and Gunners boss Arteta is relishing the opportunity.

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“We are going to go for that match with the same enthusiasm that we always do but knowing that this can be a defining moment,” Arteta said.

“It can be another layer of motivation for us to really go for it. I can’t wait for the game.

“We have earned the right to play that game in that context. We started the season with nine or 10 players out and playing the best two teams in Europe.”

While Arsenal are looking optimistically towards a memorable end to the season, third bottom Leeds have slumped into the relegation zone after a second successive defeat.

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Leeds, below fourth bottom Burnley on goal difference, host Chelsea on Wednesday before ending the season with games against Brighton and Brentford.

Jesse Marsch insisted his team will do everything in their power to avoid slipping back into the Championship after two seasons in the top tier.

“I think we had a really bad start and dug a hole for ourselves which we didn’t need to,” he said.

“Obviously we are in a difficult situation. We have to regroup and figure out what we can do.

“Our backs are against the wall. We are in the relegation zone but we have to fight for our lives.”

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Mikel Arteta breaks silence after signing new deal with Arsenal.

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Mikel Arteta wants to take Arsenal to the “next level” after signing a new three-year contract that will keep him at the Premier League club until 2025.

The 40-year-old, who took charge in 2019 following the dismissal of Unai Emery, is close to leading Arsenal back into the Champions League after a five-year absence.

The Gunners are fourth in the Premier League table, two points clear of north London rivals Tottenham with just four games to go.

“We want to take the club to the next level and to compete really with the top teams. In order to do that, we have to be playing in the Champions League,” Arteta said in a club statement.

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“We have to be able to evolve the team, improve our players, improve all departments, generate even more connection with our fans, improve the atmosphere at the Emirates, be able to recruit top, top talent and the best people for this club to drive this project to that level.”

Arteta, who won the FA Cup during his first year in charge at the Emirates, has steered Arsenal back towards the top of the table after their worst start to a season for decades.

The Spaniard was facing calls for his sacking back in September but he has been rewarded for keeping faith with his young players as well as cutting ties with club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who moved to Barcelona in January.

Arsenal have enjoyed impressive recent wins over Manchester United and Chelsea to take control of fourth place but face a potentially decisive derby against Spurs next week.

Arteta, whose team host struggling Leeds on Sunday, revealed at his pre-match press conference that he was offered the new contract after Arsenal suffered successive defeats against Crystal Palace, Brighton, and Southampton last month.

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The former Gunners midfielder took that as a sign of how committed the club were to him.

“The club offered me the contract when we lost three matches,” he said. “That doesn’t happen in football.

“That’s a part of what they think, the conversations that I had, the belief that they have in myself, the coaching staff, in what we are doing, and the people that we have now owning this football club and leading this football club.”

Arteta hopes the new deal will prove a boost to his squad as they battle to return to the Champions League.

“They thought the best moment was to do it right now, to give a final push to the team, to give some clarity about what we have to do in the summer, in the future,” he said.

Arsenal women’s manager, Jonas Eidevall, whose side are challenging for the Women’s Super League title, has signed a new deal taking him to the end of the 2023/24 season

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In-form Arsenal lashes West Ham; maintains 2 points lead ahead Spurs.

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Arsenal maintained their two-point lead over Tottenham in the battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

They were 2-1 winners at West Ham to move back above Spurs, who earlier beat Leicester 3-1 thanks to a Son Heung-min double.

Arsenal’s centre-backs got the job done to keep the Gunners on course to end a five-year absence from the Champions League.

Rob Holding’s header from Bukayo Saka’s corner put the visitors in front at the London Stadium.

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West Ham had one eye on the second leg of their Europa League semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt in midweek, but David Moyes named a strong side and was rewarded with an equaliser before half-time from Jarrod Bowen.

The Hammers’ strength from set-pieces has been one of the successes of their season.

But they were undone at the back from another corner as this time Gabriel Magalhaes turned in Gabriel Martinelli’s cross.

Tottenham took full advantage of Leicester naming a much-changed side ahead of their Europa Conference League second leg against Roma.

Harry Kane powered home a header from Son’s corner midway through the first half and Son doubled the lead on the hour mark after a pass from substitute Dejan Kulusevski.

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Son scored a third in the 79th minute to kill the game, curling an unstoppable effort into the top corner for his 19th Premier League goal of the season before a late consolation for Kelechi Iheanacho.

“No-one could have imagined when I arrived in November we could be in this race still, but these players are deserving to fight for such an important place,” Conte told the BBC.

“It is not easy to qualify for the Champions League in England.”

The battle for fourth could come down to a north London derby between Tottenham and Arsenal on May 12.

But Mikel Arteta’s men will hope to extend their lead to five points next weekend when they host relegation-threatened Leeds, while Spurs face a daunting trip to title-chasing Liverpool

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Mikel Arteta backs Arsenal youngsters to cope with top-four pressure.

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Mikel Arteta is confident that Arsenal’s crop of young stars can cope with the mounting pressure as they seek to seal a place in next season’s Champions League.

Arteta’s side are fourth in the Premier League with five games left as they fight to return to Europe’s elite club competition for the first time since 2016/17.

The Gunners, two points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham, have climbed into the top four thanks to a set of gifted players developed by Arteta including Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah and Nuno Tavares.

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Now they must prove they can perform when the pressure mounts, starting on Sunday at London rivals West Ham.

“For most of them it is (their first experience) but it’s been like this for the last two or three months where everyone is talking about it,” Arteta told reporters on Friday.

“They can feel the importance of every match but this is what we want in April and May, for things to play for.”

Arteta has steered Arsenal back towards the top of the table after their worst start to a season for decades.

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The Spaniard was facing calls for his sacking back in September, but he has been rewarded for keeping faith with the youngsters, as well as cutting ties with club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who made a January move to Barcelona.

“We have very different players in the squad and we have a very different environment,” Arteta said when asked to explain how he turned the tide.

“I think the unity that exists right now between the team, the staff, our supporters and externally is completely different and is very beneficial for the team.”

Arsenal have enjoyed impressive recent wins over Manchester United and Chelsea to take control of fourth place but with a potentially decisive north London derby looming against Tottenham in May, Arteta knows the top-four battle is likely to go down to the wire.

“There will still be some twists and turns, we all have difficult matches to play,” he said.

“We had two really good results that put us in a really good position. But it is about doing it again at West Ham.”

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Mikel Arteta reveals ‘biggest wins’ at Arsenal.

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Mikel Arteta has discussed his vision for Arsenal and his greatest successes to date as the club’s manager in an in-depth interview.

The Gunners sit fourth in the Premier League under Arteta’s tutelage, winning six of their last seven Premier League games – a run which has included impressive victories over Aston Villa and Leicester City.

Speaking to the club’s official website on his 40th birthday, the Arsenal manager gave an insight into how these results have been possible, as well as his ‘clear vision’ for the club moving forward.

“Well when I went into management I had a clear vision of what I wanted to accomplish with Arsenal,” he said. “I wanted to build a winning team that was also financially sustainable and that could transmit the values, the identity and the passion that the club has had over the years.

“To do that we had to make some important decisions and get the club moving in the right direction, so that we could also achieve that in the long-term.

“There have been some very difficult decisions to make. First of all you need to come up with a plan. You have to have a lot of support from within the club to do it, and then the decisions need to be right.”

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Arteta went on to reveal what he believes are the biggest achievements as Arsenal manager to date.

“Until now I think one of the biggest successes has been to create – as a club – a culture and an atmosphere where our players, staff and everyone can feel that this is a place where they can fulfil their potential,” he said.

“It is a place where they can grow, they can participate and everyone can add value to the club. When you get that, you create a real sense of belonging and that’s something more powerful than just personal interest. I think that’s been one of our biggest wins so far.”

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Mikel Arteta wants Eden Hazard.

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Arsenal have made ‘contact’ with Real Madrid over a sensational move for Eden Hazard.

Hazard have endured a nightmare three years since arriving at Santiago Bernabeu for an astronomical fee, with injuries and poor performances restricting his influence.

His poor fortune has continued this season with the Belgian managing just one assist in just under 700 minutes of La Liga football.

According to Foot Mercato, Arsenal could be ready to offer Hazard a fresh start. They report that the Gunners have made ‘first contact’ over a potential deal with Mikel Arteta said to be personally keen on the signing.

Hazard would likely have to take a sizeable wage-cut to move to north London and his arrival would not seem to fit in with Arsenal’s recent recruitment policy. In recent seasons the Gunners have tended to sign younger players to develop. A high-earning 31-year-old would seems out of step with technical director Edu’s preferences.

Hazard has also been linked with newly-monied Newcastle United in the past and it remains to be seen whether the Magpies would go in for him again.

The forward has been tenuously touted for a Chelsea return, though the club’s current ownership situation makes this impossible at this time.

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Bukayo Saka’s Euro 2020 final penalty miss was ‘great’ for his career: Arteta.

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Mikel Arteta has hailed Bukayo Saka’s ability to rebound from his penalty miss in the Euro 2020 final, claiming the event was a huge turning point for his career.

Saka missed the decisive penalty in England’s shoot-out defeat to Italy last summer, after which he was hounded by some horrible racist abuse on social media.

In response to that abuse, many fans spoke out in support of Saka and fellow targets Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, standing alongside the trio and backing them to remain top players for years to come.

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In Saka’s case, he has elevated his game to new levels this season, blossoming into a genuine Premier League star, and after watching him play a key role in Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Watford on Sunday, Arteta claimed the penalty miss may have actually been a good thing.

“I think Bukayo had an experience in the summer that not a lot of players would ever have and I think it was great for his career because the football world showed how much they like him and how much they respect him,” Arteta said.

“I think that was a big boost for him to realise in difficult moments that people are going to give him support, and the club did exactly the same as his teammates.

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“Then it’s about giving him that space. What he is already doing is phenomenal and he needs that room. Don’t read too much, do what you do.

“Football is his priority in life and you can see that every day in training and he needs to continue to behave and live the way that he is doing.”

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When asked directly if he thinks Saka is better for the experience, Arteta said: “I think so.

“I think experiences like that mark your career. And what you learn from those difficult moments is much more probably than if you had scored that goal.”

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Arteta backs ‘different’ Nicolas Pepe to shine for Arsenal after AFCON return

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Mikel Arteta has admitted that he has seen a ‘different’ side to winger Nicolas Pepe following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations and has backed the Ivorian to play a major role for Arsenal over the coming months.

A £72m signing from Lille in 2019, Pepe has failed to live up to expectations so far and managed just nine Premier League appearances in the first half of this season, with his last start coming in the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace way back in October.

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He jetted off to AFCON with the Ivory Coast this winter and enjoyed an impressive tournament on a personal level, bagging two goals and an assist in four games as the Elephants were eliminated in the round of 16.

Now back at Arsenal, Arteta believes that Pepe has had a fire lit under him during his time away from the Emirates.

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“Since he has come back from AFCON I think I have seen a different Nico as well,” Arteta said.

“I don’t know what it is, probably he has realised the importance of the end of the season for him. He had a brilliant end of the season last year. He can replicate that.

“We need him at his best because everybody is going to contribute. We are a really short squad at the moment and we need it and hopefully he has understood that we want to play him. I don’t want to have a player like him sitting on the bench and not using him and the moment I have chances, I want to give him a chance.”

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When asked what specifically appears different about Pepe, Arteta said: “His attitude, his smile, the way he is communicating with everybody, his energy.

“The way he has trained. His efficiency in training, his application. His energy has changed. I don’t know what it is. I think he felt important again.

“Probably he felt like a proper football player that can win tournaments and felt: ‘Ok, this is me now’. And he needed that and I’m really pleased with that.”

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Guardiola react after Mikel Arteta’s move to turn Arsenal into title contenders.

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has heaped praise on Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta, admitting the Gunners could soon find themselves battling for the Premier League title.

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Arteta spent three years working under Guardiola at City before taking the plunge into first-team management with Arsenal in December 2019, but his first 14 months in the job have been about as turbulent as they could possibly be.

Arteta led Arsenal to FA Cup glory last season but was tipped to lose his job just a few months ago, with the Gunners closer to a relegation battle that the top four, but he has managed to steady the ship and slowly lead his side up the table – something which Guardiola confessed had impressed him.

Pep Guardiola has huge faith in Mikel Arteta | Pool/Getty Images

“I did not inspire him,” Guardiola said of his former protegee in the build-up to the meeting between the two sides on Saturday (via Sky Sports News). “What he knows he knows for himself. I am not any influence. What he is doing, all credit to him and his backroom staff.

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“All I can say is the last months show me that all managers need time and he is not an exception. What I see in the last two months every game Arsenal played is better than the opponent.

“Tomorrow we will have an incredible performance. They have an exceptional build-up, they have quality and they have energy. They have [Bukayo] Saka, [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang and all the players with the quality in the middle.

“In the early future, they will be real contenders to fight for the titles. Most of the time [when Arteta and I worked together] we took decisions together and I took decisions with the influence of Mikel. I don’t know if I influenced him – he has to answer this.”

Arteta has also been incredibly complimentary of City, insisting that Guardiola has built the best team in world football.

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“The football they are playing and consistency of results, take all that in and it makes them the best team,” Arteta confessed (via BBC Sport).

“They have weaknesses like every team but at the moment teams have struggled a lot to find any of that because I think first of all defensively they have been really, really strong. I think they are the best team in Europe at the moment.”

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Mikel Arteta offers update on Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey.

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Arteta also revealed that striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has travelled with the squad, despite a video emerging on social media which appeared to show the Gabon international breaking COVID guidelines by getting a tattoo.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that left-back Kieran Tierney has travelled with the squad to face Benfica on Thursday, but midfielder Thomas Partey will miss the fixture through injury.

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Tierney hasn’t been seen since January’s 3-0 win over Newcastle United, missing no fewer than six games after picking up a leg injury, but he returned to training this week.

As for Partey, he was forced off during the recent 1-0 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa with a hamstring injury, and Arteta confirmed during his pre-match press conference that Thursday’s game will come too soon for the Ghanaian.

“Thomas didn’t travel. He’s not there yet, he’s still training individually,” said the boss (via the club’s official website). “Kieran has had one session with us and is part of the squad.”

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Arteta declined to offer any insight on Partey’s injury, but Goal’s Charles Watts revealed on YouTube that there is reason to be optimistic about his recovery.

“Thomas Partey is certainly not going to be involved yet, with that hamstring issue,” Watts said. “He’s still a couple of weeks away, although he’s supposedly, from what I hear, doing very well and pretty happy with the progress that’s been made. Still, he’s not going be involved this weekend against Man City.”

Arteta also revealed that striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has travelled with the squad, despite a video emerging on social media which appeared to show the Gabon international breaking COVID guidelines by getting a tattoo.

“Yes, he’s here,” Arteta bluntly replied when asked if Aubameyang had travelled.

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“Whatever we do with our players, we keep it internal. It’s true that a lot of the members of our squad have extended families at home and if a player does something that is not within the regulations obviously, the club acts immediately but always privately.

“We tried to advise every player and make sure that they know all the rules and that we have to stick to those rules all the time. If someone doesn’t do it, obviously we have to act immediately, so again, I cannot tell you who every player lives with, but we do and when somebody does something you shouldn’t be doing, obviously it’s going to get found out from us and there will be consequences. And if not, there won’t be.”

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William Saliba blasts Arsenal Manager, Mikel Arteta.

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Saliba hasn’t exactly shied away from the chance to bash Arsenal since returning to France, recently telling L’Equipe (via GFFN) that he was surprised to have been given up on so quickly.

Arsenal centre back William Saliba has criticised Mikel Arteta for not giving him enough time to prove himself at the Emirates Stadium this season.

A £27m arrival from Saint-Etienne, Saliba did not play a single minute for the Gunners this season and was eventually shipped out on loan to French side Nice in January, winning the club’s Player of the Month award the same month.

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It was a confusing situation, particularly with Arsenal struggling defensively for a large part of the first six months of the season, and Saliba has confessed he was unimpressed with the way Arteta handled the whole thing.

William Saliba was unimpressed with his situation at Arsenal | Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images

“It is clear that so much has changed in the last year,” he told RMC Sport’s Top of the Foot. “When I saw that the coach changed a lot changed for me too. In this year there has been a lot of change in my personal life as well.

“He judged me on two-and-a-half matches. I would have liked for him to play me more. But he told me I wasn’t ready. I was waiting for him to give me a chance, but football is like that. When I initially came to Arsenal the league looked very good so I showed up to training and wanted to train on my own to show the coach I was ready.

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“I am happy now, I want to play for Nice. The idea when you’re part of a team is a better feeling for me.”

Saliba hasn’t exactly shied away from the chance to bash Arsenal since returning to France, recently telling L’Equipe (via GFFN) that he was surprised to have been given up on so quickly.

“There were a lot of factors I think because when they were finishing their league season, I was in quarantine at home, where I could only run 1km in my house,” he explained. “And then there was this thing about the [Coupe de France] final, we didn’t know if I was going to be able to play or not.

“What I mean is as soon as my contract finished (with Saint-Etienne), I wasn’t able to train until an agreement was found. That was for two weeks, I wasn’t training, and the others had already started training again.

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“After that, then I went over there at the end of July, they had one more week, so I was training all alone. They came back from holidays two weeks later and I was still training by myself. When they came back I played in two friendlies, but I wasn’t ready, I hadn’t played for six months. I had no preparation and to pick up rhythm, you need to play matches.

“The coach told me I wasn’t ready, I thought ‘That’s normal, these were just two matches and I hadn’t played for six months’. After that I waited for my chance, I waited for him to play me more to get a rhythm. But that’s football, it’s like that, it’s behind me and I took the experience.”

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Mikel Arteta discusses ‘ins and outs’ at Arsenal.

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Arteta hasn’t shut down the possibility there could be another late addition if a good opportunity presents itself.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has refused to say whether Ainsley Maitland-Niles will stay or go on transfer deadline day, but has confirmed the Gunners are working on a number of possible deals and hasn’t ruled out any late arrivals.

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Maitland-Niles, who turns 24 this year, has only been sparingly involved in the Premier League this season and has made most of his appearances, which have come all over the pitch, from the bench.

Leicester, Southampton, Newcastle and West Brom have all been linked with loan swoops for the England international, who might command more regular game time away from Arsenal.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is also being name-dropped as a potential target for the Magpies.

“We have decided [who could leave on loan today] and we are working on it. You will find out before 11pm,” Arteta said of the situation, via Arsenal.com.

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“I cannot speak about any individual players. What we want to do, the conversations we’ve had, the various reasons. Let’s see if we can get something done tonight,” the Spaniard added.

It has been reported that Arsenal would prefer Maitland-Niles to get game time as a full-back should he secure a move, although the player himself would rather get chances in midfield.

Leicester are said to be Maitland-Niles’ preference, but the Foxes pose a potential threat to Arsenal in the fight for European places, meaning the Gunners would rather he joins Southampton.

Arsenal have already signed goalkeeper Mat Ryan and midfielder Martin Odegaard on loan this winter, but Arteta hasn’t shut down the possibility there could be another late addition if a good opportunity presents itself.

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Crystal Palace left-back Patrick van Aanholt is one player who has been and the Gunners have been in the market for a player in that position to provide cover for Kieran Tierney and free up Bukayo Saka to play further forward more permanently where he is more dangerous.

Pochettino has been in pursuit of Dele Alli since taking the PSG job, with the England midfielder out of favour at Tottenham.

“The last day of the transfer window is always unpredictable so things can happen. They might happen, they might not happen. We are on it,” Arteta said on possible incomings.

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Mikel Arteta gives update on Aubameyang return.

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Aubameyang’s absence was particularly felt in the stalemate with the Red Devils, and Arsenal will be hoping that he is able to rejoin the playing squad ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confessed he is unsure when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will return to action, with the striker now in self-isolation after leaving the country last week.

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The 31-year-old travelled to Southampton with the Gunners on 23 January for their FA Cup tie, but he left the squad to be with his sick mother, meaning he has had to miss their last three matches.

Arsenal were able to beat Southampton in the league on Tuesday and held Manchester United to a draw on Saturday without Aubameyang, but Arteta is obviously keen to have his star striker back at his disposal.

And speaking about Aubameyang’s possible return, the Spanish coach admitted he is unsure when the forward will be allowed to return to Premier League action, as he is now serving a period in self isolation after leaving the country.

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“We have to follow the rules and the protocols right now and the protocols say he cannot be involved at the moment,” Arteta told the Evening Standard after the goalless draw with United.

“He had a family issue he had to attend to and these are the consequences to that.”

But Arteta stated he ‘doesn’t know’ of any expected return date for the Gunners’ captain, and ensured that the club will ‘follow the rules and the protocols’ over his period in quarantine.

“I don’t know. We are working with the Premier League and government about it. He’s been looking after his family and now he’s in quarantine.

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“We have to respect that and the doctor is managing the situation currently.”

The Gunners face Wolves in midweek before travelling to take to on Aston Villa on Saturday.

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Arteta speaks on whether Mustafi is leaving.

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However, Arsenal have already loaned out William Saliba to Nice and are set to allow Sokratis Papastathopoulos to leave the club in the coming weeks as well, so Arteta has no plans to shrink his centre-back group any further.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that German centre-back Shkodran Mustafi will not be leaving the club this month as he is needed to cover for the first team.

Mustafi has been limited to just three Premier League appearances this season – a total of 43 minutes – so it was widely expected that the 28-year-old would be shipped out in some capacity, with Barcelona tipped to push for Mustafi’s signature on loan.

“His future right now is here,” Arteta said. “I’m trying to help. We have Papa that probably is going to leave the club in this window, William that has already gone on loan, so we don’t have that many right now.

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“Gabriel’s been out now for a period, David [Luiz] has been injured, so the situation is completely different to before.”

Arteta was then asked to defend the need to keep five centre-backs on the books (six if you include the injured Calum Chambers). Rob Holding and Pablo Mari are currently shining for the Gunners, but Arteta was adamant that Mustafi may still be handed some opportunities before the season comes to a close.

“Musti came back from a really difficult injury when he got injured at the end of last season,” he added. “Up to that period I think he was doing really well, I think his performances were increasing and getting better and better.

“When he came back it was a moment when we had seven or eight centre-backs so he had to get his performance level up. I think physically he still needed some time, then he started to play some games in Europe which I think he did well as well.

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“And now it’s about when do you make the next step to be a starter, and the reality is that we have to change for different reasons, use different personnel.

“He’s been very close in a few games but now we’ve found as well a partnership that is giving us clean sheets and sometimes when you do that it’s difficult to change, but he’s still in contention.”

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I am disappointed – Arteta speaks after Arsenal’s defeat.

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Speaking after the match, Arteta discussed an array of matters having now seen his side gain nine points from their opening five league matches of the 2020/21 season.

There were chances for Bukayo Saka and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a tight affair, but the contest was settled by Raheem Sterling’s first half strike.

While the 1-0 scoreline demonstrates a vast improvement from the club’s most recent trip to face City, the end result was nevertheless the same. Having had chances in the match, Arteta claimed he was proud of the performance, but was disappointed to see his side play so deep.

“Upset obviously not to get anything from the game the way the game went because I felt that we kept growing and growing and having more belief that we could actually get something from it,” he said.

“At the same time I’m extremely proud about the way we played individually and collectively to put the performance that we put in tonight in this stadium. It’s not an easy thing to do. I think we had a real go.

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“It’s upsetting to see your team so deep. In the second half we were really aggressive, we played in the opponents’ half, they had a lot of issues to get out of our pressure. We could have created more, I think, in the final third.

Much of the talk pre-match centered around whether deadline day signing Thomas Partey would jump straight into Arteta’s starting lineup, but the Spaniard opted to keep the £45m addition on the bench for the Etihad showdown. On the topic, Arteta insisted it was too soon to thrust the Ghanaian into action.

“We will see how quickly we can make it with him but as well we have to respect that process and that time for him because he only trained a day really with us,” he said.

“It’s a lot of new information, it’s a completely different game model for him to understand. We have to respect a little bit that. When he came on he looked good.”

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It looked as if the Gunners would be handed a lifeline late in the first half, as Kyle Walker’s high foot came within inches of connecting with Gabriel Magalhaes’ head in the penalty box.

Hoping for a VAR review, referee Chris Kavanagh opted to blow the whistle for half time seconds late, indicating no second look had taken place.

“You need everything to go your way to get a win here and obviously when you have the three or four big chances we had you have to put them away because you know that in your box that’s going to be the case,” Arteta concluded.

“It’s that situation, I’ve seen it back, I just ask for the refs to watch it back and I don’t think they checked it because it took two seconds for the whistle to go.

“I am disappointed with that.”

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Sport Today

Ceballos sees Guardiola as ‘possibly the best coach in the history of football’

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Dani Ceballos thinks Mikel Arteta can be a success as a coach because of what he’s learned from Pep Guardiola.

Arteta, who is Ceballos’ coach at Arsenal, worked as Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City for the past two seasons before taking the job at the Emirates stadium.

“I’m very happy with Mikel,” Ceballos told NobleSport’s Reliable source

“He, as an assistant, learned from possibly the best coach in the history of football.

“He has some basic concepts and a winning mentality.

“I think he’s going to be one of the best coaches [in England] very soon.”

Ceballos returned to Real Madrid’s training ground to do some recovery work from injury during the first half of the season, where he spoke to Zinedine Zidane.

“When I was at Valdebebas two or three months ago, he told me that he was following the Premier League, that he’d seen me play and that he was happy that I was getting the minutes that I didn’t have at times before,” Ceballos said.

“My relationship with him is good.

“He always used to say that I was like him, that I was a energetic player that needed to play lots of games in order to play at a high rhythm.

“He always said that my future is at Real Madrid and to be patient because I might get the opportunity.”

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Sport Today

COVID-19: Mikel Arteta’s wellbeing as provided by soulmate.

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Mikel Arteta’s wife has given a promising update on the recovery of her husband after he tested positive for the coronavirus.

Arsenal announced late on Thursday that various personnel at the club, including all first team players, had gone into self isolation after learning of Arteta’s condition.

The announcement came under an hour after the Premier League insisted that matches this weekend would continue as normal – a decision that was reversed soon after Arteta and Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for the virus.

Arteta’s wife, Lorena Bernal, took to Instagram to provide an update on the state of the Arsenal head coach.

“I want to say thank you to everyone who sent good vibes, texts, emails and calls, really it’s been overwhelming,” she said.

“I understand as well that you want to know what’s going on.

“My husband is feeling fine, he is well. It’s true that he had symptoms of the virus but the symptoms would have never stopped him from going to work in a normal situation.

“He would have just taken an ibuprofen or paracetamol and he would have gone to work so really, it’s nothing major.

“Some temperatures, some headaches but that’s it. That’s his experience. My kids and I are perfectly well.

“Apparently the virus is not lethal. It could be for a certain amount of people but the majority are going to go through it with mild symptoms.”

Arteta revealed in a statement on his own Instagram account on Friday that he was feeling better.

“Hi everyone,” he began. “Thanks for all the kind words and support. I’m feeling much better already.

https://www.instagram.com/_u/lober99/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_mid=3D9AA371-2860-4D77-9B25-B2630F5AF643

“We are all facing a huge and unprecedented challenge. Everyone’s health is the only important thing right now. Respect and protect each other by following the guidelines and we’ll come through this all together.

“Well done to the Premier League for making the right decision by suspending matches. Thank you again.”

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Sport Today

COVID-19: Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta test positive.

...said, I will be at work as soon as I’m allowed

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has tested positive for the coronavirus, prompting the Premier League to announce they will hold an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss future fixtures.

Arsenal have closed their training ground as a result of Arteta’s positive test, with Gunners players and club staff who had recent contact with the Spaniard now forced to self-isolate.

“This is really disappointing but I took the test after feeling poorly,” Arteta said in a statement on Arsenal’s website.

“I will be at work as soon as I’m allowed.”

Arsenal confirmed the shock news just minutes after the Premier League had said all fixtures would go ahead this weekend despite the spread of the global pandemic.

Arsenal, due to play at Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday, said it was “clear we will not be able to play some fixtures on their currently scheduled dates”.

Arsenal’s Premier League match at Manchester City on Wednesday was postponed and several Gunners players went into self-isolation after Olympiakos and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis contracted the virus.

Marinakis, 52, met a number of Arsenal’s players and staff when the Gunners faced Olympiakos in a Europa League tie in February.

“Our London Colney training centre has been closed after head coach Mikel Arteta received a positive Covid-19 result this evening,” the Arsenal statement said.

“Arsenal personnel who had recent close contact with Mikel will now self-isolate in line with Government health guidelines.

“We expect this to be a significant number of people from Colney, including the full first-team squad and coaching staff.”

Arsenal are now trying to trace any other people who may have had contact with Arteta.

Premier League emergency

Arsenal managing director Vinai Venkatesham added: “The health of our people and the wider public is our priority and that is where our focus is.

“Our thoughts are with Mikel who is disappointed but in good spirits. We are in active dialogue with all the relevant people to manage this situation appropriately, and we look forward to getting back to training and playing as soon as medical advice allows.”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday that the government was considering cancelling sporting events in the United Kingdom, but was not ready to do so yet.

But the news of Arteta’s positive test could force the Premier League to cancel English top-flight matches.

“In light of Arsenal’s announcement tonight confirming that their first-team coach Mikel Arteta has tested positive for COVID-19, the Premier League will convene an emergency club meeting tomorrow morning regarding future fixtures,” the Premier League said.

Arsenal are the latest Premier League club to be hit by the virus.

Leicester revealed on Thursday that three of their players have self-isolated after showing signs of the virus.

Manchester City said one unnamed member of their squad, reportedly France defender Benjamin Mendy, is in self-isolation after a family member suffered a respiratory illness.

The relative is being treated in hospital and has undergone tests for the coronavirus, which can cause shortness of breath.

Chelsea reportedly cancelled training on Thursday after a member of staff showed signs of the illness.

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Sport Today

Arsenal Manager send warning to city ahead clash.

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has warned Manchester City that the Gunners are going to make things difficult for them when both sides clash in Wednesday’s Premier League fixture at the Etihad Stadium.

Arteta, a former Man City assistant coach, said Arsenal are going to do their best to beat Pep Guardiola’s men in front of their home fans.

The Spaniard said this at his pre-match press conference on Monday.

Arteta’s men head to the game after defeating West Ham United 1-0 in their last Premier League encounter, while Man City lost 2-0 against Manchester United.

“We are going to go there trying to beat them, for sure,” Arsenal’s official website quoted Arteta as saying.

“That’s going to be the game plan.

“We will put all the things we can on the pitch to make it difficult for them to create the scenarios during the game, and let’s see if we turn up on the day at our best, and we can perform and win the game.”

The kick-off time for the match is 8:30 pm.

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Sport Today

Torreira will be sidelined for 2 months amidst ankle injury – Mikel Arteta.

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Arsenal have revealed that midfielder Lucas Torreira will be sidelined for at least eight weeks while he recovers from an ankle fracture.

Following a robust challenge, the Uruguayan went down with the injury during the 2-0 victory over Portsmouth in the FA Cup and was immediately stretchered off the field.

Since that game, Torreira has undergone plenty of tests to determine his recovery schedule, and the club confirmed on their official website that the midfielder is expected to miss between eight and ten weeks.

That could well mean that Torreira’s season is over for Arsenal. The Gunners’ final game of the Premier League season comes against Watford on 17 May, which is only nine weeks away.

However, there is a chance he could be ready to feature, but only if he recovers faster than expected.

In his place, Mikel Arteta can call upon the likes of Granit Xhaka and Mattéo Guendouzi, but it was Dani Ceballos who excelled in that deeper role in the recent 1-0 win over West Ham United.

The Spaniard led his team in total tackles, interceptions and passes, and was a constant menace at both ends of the field.

The Gunners will need performances like that from Ceballos for the rest of the season. They currently sit ninth in the league table, eight points and one game behind Chelsea in fourth, so they already need a minor miracle to fight their way into one of the European spots.

Lucas Torreira

Elsewhere, Shkodran Mustafi will face a late fitness test ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Manchester City (lucky Arsenal), while right-back Cédric Soares is expected to return to training this week to rotate with Héctor Bellerin.

Sead Kolašinac should be back in training by the end of March if his recovery from a shoulder injury goes well, but Calum Chambers will still be focusing on making his return from a knee injury next season.

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Aubameyang Is Going No Where – Mikel Arteta

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Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta is working on convincing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to stay at the club after he scored twice to help the Gunners to a 3-2 win over Everton.

Aubameyang now has 19 goals this season and 60 in 95 games for the London club.

It has been reported that he wants to play in the Champions League next season and has been linked with a move.

“Before I took over I had my questions about him but he has shown his commitment,” said Arteta.

“I wanted him to show if he wanted to do it and do it physically.

“I’m so happy with him. He is scoring important goals and as a captain he is giving a great example to everyone else with the way he is working defensively.”

He has been linked with a transfer to Barcelona, who reportedly tried to sign him in January.

“They are completely right to want him because he is a superb player,” continued Arteta. “It’s right that big teams like him. Hopefully we can convince him this is right place to be.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

“I think it’s been tough for him because he has big expectations. He wants to play in the biggest competitions and with the best players. We have to help him do that. He needs to feel fulfilled.

“He is our most important player, no doubt the impact he has in this team. We will have to convince him to stay with us.”

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Arsenal’s manager to start Eddie against Chelsea

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Arsenal head coach, Mikel Arteta, has hinted at starting Eddie Nketiah, when they play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, NobleSport reports.

Nketiah was recalled from his loan spell at Leeds United and will stay with the Gunners until next season.

The 20-year-old was given 16 minutes of action in the 1-1 draw with Sheffield United on Saturday, replacing the ineffectual Alexandre Lacazette.

With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continuing his three-game suspension and Lacazette off form, Nketiah might be the leading frontman this time around.

“Every player has a chance to start,” Arteta said.

“[Nketiah] is in the squad. We will assess who is in best conditions to play in who is training well and we’ll make the decision based on that.”

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