Arsenal face a tough test against Newcastle as they aim to get back to winning ways in the Premier League, and Mikel Arteta has now spoken to the press.
Arteta has to contend with several injury doubts again, as he confirmed that both Riccardo Calafiori and Martin Odegaard will be unavailable, whilst Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes face late tests.
There was plenty to discuss ahead of Arsenal’s trip to St James’ Park, and Arteta had a lot to say.
Mikel Arteta admits frustration after Arsenal draw with Liverpool
Arsenal drew 2-2 with Liverpool in their last Premier League outing, in a game which saw the home side end the match with a makeshift back-four after Gabriel and Jurrien Timber came off with suspected injuries.
Arteta was asked what he learned about his squad during this game, and he bemoaned his side’s poor luck.
“Unfortunately a lot of things happened that we didn’t even plan for,” he stated.
“I was suspecting, with the size of the squad that we had, to be very adaptable in the season and that’s something that we worked on from day one in pre-season.
“But obviously, not to be that adaptable, especially in certain scenarios, but for sure the team showed an incredible capacity to compete, to be better than the opponent in many moments, but it’s true that in the second half very early again something happened that affected the rest. We are there.”
Mikel Arteta highlights Ben White’s versatility
White moved from right-back to the centre of defence against Liverpool, and put in an outstanding performance.
Arteta has now praised the defender, and highlighted the brilliance of his versatility.
“That’s Ben’s quality. He can play in those two positions, within those positions he can adapt his role and play different heights, especially in ball possession we’re demanding against a very difficult, tricky opponent with very particular duels, especially in that section of the pitch,” he stated.
“To do that job, when he hasn’t played there for over a year, I think he was really good.”
Praise for Ethan Nwaneri
Youngster Ethan Nwaneri was the star of the show in Arsenal’s victory at Preston North End, and Arteta has pointed out just how talented he is.
“I can talk about how good he is right now. At 17 years old, to be in a position like he is in at one of the biggest clubs in Europe, I think sums up really well the level that he has,” he stated.
“What is going to happen in the future is mainly is going to depend on him and how much he wants it. At the moment he wants it a lot and he’s surrounded by the right people and then you will need a crystal ball to see where he is going to be in a year, two years, three years.
“My prediction is going to be very positive.”
Thomas Partey’s Arsenal future
Thomas Partey has been in excellent form recently, and Arteta praised him after his best run of fitness in years.
“The one thing that we needed was Thomas to be at the level we wanted certainly,” he stated of Partey’s fitness.
“He’s working so hard to do what he’s doing at the moment, and I think he’s playing really well in different positions with different demands and he’s coping with it in a great way. He’s a big player for us.”
Arteta was then asked if Partey could sign a new contract, with his current deal set to expire in the summer, and he revealed that talks could commence.
“He’s only 31 and he’s in a really good place and yeah, we’ll have discussions,” he added.
Takehiro Tomiyasu’s availability
Takehiro Tomiyasu has managed just one appearance all season, and Arteta was asked whether he could return before the international break.
“I don’t expect him to be available before the break unfortunately,” he revealed.
Tomiyasu has constantly suffered injury issues during his time at Arsenal, and questions are now being raised over his long-term future.
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