Mikel Arteta spoke to the press ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Chelsea on Tuesday night. Arsenal go into the game without a win in their last four Premier League games…
A win on Tuesday night would take the Gunners back to the top of the Premier League, with Manchester City currently leading the race after their win at Craven Cottage on Sunday. However Pep Guardiola’s side still have games in hand on Arsenal which leaves the title race in their hands.
Mikel Arteta confirmed William Saliba will not be involved against Chelsea on Tuesday:
“The situation is pretty similar. He’s not going to be involved tomorrow. He hasn’t improved this week.”
Mikel Arteta speaking on the attitude towards his players and qualifying for the Champions League next season:
“Yes, because we have achieved what was difficult to achieve and we can still achieve the Premier League.
We are Arsenal Football Club. We have to be here to win every single trophy. The thing that I like the most is we have qualified for the Champions League and everybody is still unsatisfied with the situation.”
Mikel Arteta on the Manchester City game and leading the title race for the majority of the season:
“When a team is able to take the game to a different level and you’re not able to step to that, you have to recognise there is still work to do.
The reality is that for 274 days we’ve been with them and tomorrow there is still room to go.”
Mikel Arteta on what the aim is for the remainder of the season:
“Win tomorrow, that is what we have to do. Now it’s not in our hands. What is in our hands is to win our games. The rest is up to City.”
Mikel Arteta on what to expect from Chelsea:
“They are going to try to come to the Emirates to beat us. They have a great manager.”
Mikel Arteta on encouraging the players after the defeat at the Etihad:
“They didn’t need much. Our supporters, our players, our staff. It was a big night and we didn’t produce the performance that we wanted.
I think it was a good reality check. You have to step to that level for 10 months.”
