Arteta: It’s probably the best time to play the derby

Having gone nine months without a defeat at home, losing twice at the Emirates in the space of a week is hardly ideal preparation for a North London derby.

Seven days ago, the Gunners were fighting for silverware on four fronts but after painfully blunt performances against Newcastle and Manchester United in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup respectively, there’s little choice but to turn attention to hunting down league leaders Liverpool.

Given the injuries affecting key personnel – the club confirmed this afternoon that Gabriel Jesus requires surgery on an ACL injury – it’s going to be incredibly tough, but ever the optimist, Arteta is is looking forward to the clash with Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Perhaps sensing waning belief in the fanbase, he also issued a rallying call, urging Arsenal fans to back the team as it looks to get back to winning ways.

“It’s probably the nicest game of the season to watch because of the atmosphere, because of what it means to our people, what it means to us and everybody involved in the game,” he said.

“This is something that is in our hands, for example. Let’s create the best atmosphere that we have played at the Emirates, that’s our objective.

“That’s something that we control, the players, the staff, and everybody that turns up tomorrow. This is something that we can do, so let’s do it.”

Asked about the need to rebuild their home form, he continued: “For sure, I understand that it was a long period [without defeat] and it was something that gave us so much confidence.

“The fact that we lost two games in the manner that we did is painful.”

Reflecting on the injuries, he continued: “This is a more challenging period that we’ve had, especially as we’ve lost very important players in crucial moments, but I don’t know, things happen for a reason in this life.

“We have to adapt, and with everything that has happened, look how the team performs. OK, we didn’t win the other day, but if you have to go out of a competition, let’s go out like this when you have been infinitely better than the opposition, and on Wednesday we have another one.

“It’s probably the best time to play because we know what that game means for all of us. So, let’s face it, the circumstances are where they are, let’s embrace them and let’s get the best out of that because even with all that, look how the team plays.”

While Arsenal have five players unavailable – the aforementioned Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Riccardo Calafiori – it looks as though Sp*rs could be without nine first-team stars (according to Premier Injuries_. Arteta empathises with his opposite number for the way he’s dealt with their situation.

“That’s our job, it’s very difficult to predict that those things are going to happen, but how we react, it’s something that is in our hands,” he said.

“You can be sorry for yourself and start to find excuses or face it. Ange [Postecoglou] has done that and last year they had some difficulties as well, and he dealt with it in the same way, so I really respect that.”

If there’s a positive on the injury front for the Gunners, it’s that Jorginho and Jurrien Timber should be available – they were substituted against Manchester United on Sunday due to cramp – and Ethan Nwaneri is on the mend.

“He is good,” said Arteta of the teenager. “He has started to do some work on the pitch already. He is evolving well, he is young, he is healing very, very fast so hopefully we can have him soon.”