Mikel Arteta is hopeful that Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool will go ahead although he says Arsenal still have issues on the player availability front.
The Gunners successfully lobbied for the North London derby to be postponed after struggling to pull together a squad due to a combination of international absences, Covid and injuries.
Asked to clarify the numbers available, Arteta said: “I can’t and I don’t want to because I don’t want to give anything away, I’m sorry.
“There are issues, there are issues that have not been resolved that’s why we cannot play the last game but as you can understand, we want to keep that internally.
“I hope that there is no more news from tomorrow and that the game can be played. This is the way we have prepared.”
Asked about Emile Smith Rowe, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Martin Odegaard, he added: “There are three cases that for different reasons haven’t been able to play for us in recent weeks.
“We are trying to change that and raise the level of our players to compete tomorrow.”
He also touched on the role of the fans tomorrow night, praising the way they have been behind the team this season.
“We have the opportunity to get into our final which get us closer to a title against a big opponent, in our stadium with our people,” he said.
“So we are very excited to play the game. They are able to change the energy, the momentum of the game, give a massive list to the players, and give them confidence.
“So if they can drive the team the way they’ve been doing recently, that will be incredibly helpful to have the best possible chance to get in the final.”
The media “Hey you cheating bastards, how dare you get a game postponed?”
Also the media “So Mikel, tell us all about your team news.”
It seems trust is a two-way street.
At least they haven’t soiled their reputation with the lovable German that we all find just so charming.
Fuck Um is what I say. Don’t give them a lick of anything in all future press conferences. Wonder if Sky will have the balls to be pitch side tomorrow or if they’ll have Prutton & his band of merry men in the safety of an Isleworth studio incase some of our fans shout horrible things at them
as much as I agree with your general point, “the media” is not a single amorphous entity but includes lots of journalists who are chumps but lots who have integrity too
Indeed better to use the term Murdoch Press and just wrongly presume that includes talksport too
I know it probably isn’t mind games on Arteta’s part, but I kinda hope it has a negative impact on Liverpool tomorrow evening!!!
The more the press slate Arsenal, the less he says. Love to see it! Few more weeks and he will go full Marshawn Lynch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn0Z3oj59yU
Really hopeful that Partey is back in the team for this game.
Can’t see that. So long as he’s back for Wolves !
Vlahovic. Why are we even bothering? If we pull this off, I’ll eat my hat etc…..but looks like there’s no chance.
In which case, if there is money available, why don’t we go for Bruno G now and then look to Isak in the Summer (who is Odegaard’s best mate)?
I don’t want to pay a 21 year old silly wages when he doesn’t want to be there, and his arsehole agent will be looking to move him on ASAP for another slice all the time anyway…..
Doubt it, but hopefully there for Burnley at the weekend. In other news – I read on the BBC website that the PL is looking to change the rules re game postponements for the round of matches commencing 8th Feb after the international break, sporting integrity be damned.
I’d hate to play him at chess
Or poker
I’d love to play him at Warhammer
Arsenal in full lock down mode and it’s lovely to see.
Just seen this article about one of our players being under investigation for dodgy betting patterns, seemingly regarding a yellow card. What a stupid thing to do. Just have to hope it’s no one too important to our cause. Given a Lincoln player was banned for six years for doing just that here’s hoping it’s all a misunderstanding.
I just read that too. An unusual amount of money bet on an unnamed Arsenal player getting a yellow card apparently.
If the player in question were Granit, just how much money would be unusual? Sounds like a pretty good bet even if he was not starting!
He’s just as likely to get a straight red these days.
Your comment seems to suggest that it was the player that tried to (unfairly) get himself booked…but do we know that this is the what the investigation is focusing on, or is it also possible that the referee may have handed out a dodgy/unwarranted yellow card? Because we certainly have been receiving some questionable yellows of late And on that topic…is there anyone else in the PL whose ratio of bookings for/against is anywhere near Saka’s? The lad gets so little protection from referees and is one of the most fouled players, while it seems that he is booked instantly… Read more »
There are many inexplicable cards given to Arsenal players…. i wouldnt be looking at the recipients myself but weve seen very recently what the corrupt FA is like when it comes to protecting its bent referee cadre
Probably should have chucked some allegedlys in there
Love it!
Arteta should get an interpreter (like that kid always beside Biesla) and just get him to shrug his shoulders.