Arsenal are set to travel to Preston North End in the first round of the EFL Cup, and Mikel Arteta has spoken ahead of the game.
Arteta was asked about several injured Arsenal players who could be in line to feature, as well as captain Martin Odegaard’s potential return.
Here are five key talking points from Arteta’s press conference.
Mikel Arteta issues positive Arsenal injury updates
Arteta has given updates on several key Arsenal players, including Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Magalhaes, who were both withdrawn in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool at the weekend.
“We are still assessing him, it doesn’t look bad at all. He was much better than expected, so hopefully he’ll be fine,” Arteta stated of Gabriel.
“Jurrien is fine. He was very tired, he had been out for a while and could not continue the game but there is no new injury there,” he added on Timber.
Arteta also revealed that Martin Odegaard is close to a return, in a major boost for Arsenal’s season.
Mikel Arteta gives verdict on EFL Cup
Arteta was asked about how he values the EFL Cup as a competition, and he was quick to emphasise its importance.
“It’s important because it keeps everybody alive. It maintains the winning habit which is really, really important, and it shows you care about every competition, regardless of what you play,” he stated.
“You have to compete for every match you are in, or you are out. The margins are so small and tomorrow we are going to face a really tough opponent.
What Mikel Arteta said about Erik ten Hag’s Man Utd dismissal
Erik ten Hag was sacked by Manchester United after a dismal run of form, but Arteta had praise for the Dutch manager.
“It’s always sad to see one of our colleagues lose his job. I think he’d done a really good job, he’d won titles there, he’d changed a lot of things,” Arteta claimed.
“He’s a phenomenal coach and it’s difficult. Unfortunately when these things happen, the exposure we have as managers, we are always in the line.
“Especially when you look at the game, how they lost it, it was incredible. But they made the decision and I wish him all the best for his new chapter.”
New Arsenal lifeline for Kieran Tierney?
Kieran Tierney has not played for Arsenal in a year and a half, but he is now closing in on a return from injury.
“I think he’s quite close. He’s looking really good. I think he’s over the period where he was still struggling, so he looks really sharp out there,” Arteta revealed.
“He hasn’t trained with the team yet but hopefully he can do that in the next week or two.”
Arteta refused to confirm whether Tierney would be in first-team contention when he does return, having fallen down the pecking order at left-back.
Could Hale End starlets feature vs Preston?
Arsenal gave several Hale End talents first-team debuts in the last round against Bolton Wanderers, and he has now hinted at further rotation against Preston.
“It is important. There are players who haven’t played that much, and they will have their chance tomorrow, that’s for sure. But you have to earn the right to play and when you have that right, you have to perform, and perform in a way to help impact the team to win the game,” he stated.
“That’s what we are going to demand of anybody. Whether you are young, you are an experienced player or you’ve been playing regularly for us.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
