Mikel Arteta discusses Arsenal's upcoming clash with Manchester City
Mikel Arteta, the head coach of Arsenal, has shared his thoughts on the team's upcoming Premier League match against Manchester City. The game is set for Sunday and follows a Champions League draw with Atalanta. Despite the demanding schedule of three consecutive away games, Arteta expressed optimism about his team's performance and readiness for the challenge ahead. Here's more.
Arteta praises team's consistency and resilience
Arteta commended his team for their consistency, highlighting two clean sheets from recent matches against diverse opponents (Tottenham and Atalanta). "We played against two very different teams but both of them are really tricky to play against away from home," he said in a press conference. Despite not securing a win in their latest game, he emphasized the importance of resilience saying, "We wanted to win the game, but if you cannot win it, don't lose it."
Arsenal's preparation for Manchester City match
Arteta confirmed that there are no new injury concerns ahead of the Manchester City match. He outlined the team's recovery plan post-Atalanta, emphasizing proper rest and nutrition. Regarding Martin Odegaard's condition, he stated, "We need to see the development in the next week or so, how the ankle reacts first of all and then the staff will give me an update on the timeframe and how long he'll be out for."
Arteta addresses potential advantage for Manchester City
When asked about Manchester City's extra day of recovery potentially giving them an edge, Arteta acknowledged the situation but remained focused on his team's preparation. He said, "We wanted the same as them, we're not getting it, so we have to adapt and make the most of the time that we have today and tomorrow and on the morning of the match to prepare in the best way to go there and win."
Arteta on Arsenal's challenging schedule and injuries
Arteta admitted that the team has been preparing for this challenging week since pre-season, knowing it would involve three significant away games in six days. He also mentioned the additional strain caused by injuries from the international break. Despite these hurdles, he expressed confidence in his team's ability to adapt and perform under pressure.
Arteta anticipates competitive atmosphere at Manchester City
Arteta is anticipating a highly competitive atmosphere at the home of the champions, Manchester City. He praised their consistency and dominance in the Premier League history. He also expressed gratitude toward Arsenal's loyal supporters who will be traveling to Man City after away games against Tottenham and Atalanta, appreciating their investment of time, money, effort, and travel.
Man City are unbeaten in 27 league games
Man City are unbeaten in 23 Premier League matches so far in 2024. Overall, they are unbeaten in 27 league games, winning 13 in a row. Guardiola's side is atop the Premier League table. The champions own 12 points from four matches (W4). They are the only side with a 100% win record in the Premier League 2024-25 season.
