Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has set an ambitious challenge for his squad ahead of their Premier League fixtures against Liverpool and Newcastle United. Despite facing several injury issues this weekend, Arteta is urging the team to show resilience and determination.
In terms of player availability, Arsenal will be without Captain Martin Odegaard due to an injury, while Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, and Riccardo Calafiori remain in doubt. Saka, who has been sidelined by a hamstring problem incurred while playing for England, is nearing a return and could possibly play against Newcastle if he misses Sunday’s game. Meanwhile, William Saliba is expected to return following his suspension.
Mikel Arteta said “I love watching individuals and teams react to that. It is a down look? I hate it. I haven’t seen it in the staff, I haven’t seen it upstairs, I haven’t seen anyone talk about it. Get on with it. Show your teeth. Show how much you want it. This means opportunities for other people, and opportunities for us as a team to rebel against certain situations. When you lose your captain, that’s a big thing. When you lose your central defender, a full-back, and another full-back, a striker, and a winger, the team has to have the resources. First of all mentally to adapt to that and then maintain the same belief that even like this we’re a great team.”
As Arsenal prepares to face Liverpool, they aim to bounce back from a recent 2-0 defeat to AFC Bournemouth. Arteta acknowledges the strong performance of Liverpool, now managed by Arne Slot.
Mikel Arteta said “Arne’s a really good manager. He’s inherited a team that is successful and given it his touch to maintain and evolve in the direction he believes is the right way to do it. That shows a lot of relentless and winning mentality to consistently believe, even if some people feel you could not reach it. That’s a big credit to them and they have done the work with a clear identity, so that’s something remarkable in my opinion.”
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