Emotional Arsenal boss Arteta issues rallying cry ahead of massive week ahead
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta shared injury news ahead of Sporting at the Emirates before launching into an impassioned press conference
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking ahead of a huge week ahead for the Gunners.
First, Arteta shared injury news ahead of Sporting at the Emirates, with Declan Rice joining the list of absentees missing from training which included club captain Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber.
“We have to wait to tomorrow morning to see how the boys are,” said Arteta. On Rice he added: “we have to wait to see how he is tomorrow…”
Arteta was asked if there was any chance of Timber, Odegaard or Saka back for Wednesday’s Champions League clash: “Maybe one of them…”
Arteta expanded on Saka’s injury, saying it was something the player had been carrying for a while, before the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City: “It was an Achilles issue…hopefully it’s going to be a matter of days not weeks…we have to see how he responds…”
A visibly emotional Arteta went on to issue a rallying cry ahead of a crucial week for the Gunners.
Ahead of Arsenal hosting Sporting at the Emirates on Wednesday evening, prior to a season-defining clash against Manchester City at the Etihad, Arteta said: “No fear, pure fire…we are in April and have an incredible opportunity in front of us.
“Let’s go for it by really putting absolutely everything into it…”
An emotional Arteta added: “I’m on fire..I’ve done so much to be in this position…this is beauty…I want to get it done for all these people on this journey with us…and because they deserve it…that’s what is driving me every day…I have zero fear…there is no fear, just purpose, fire, direction and conviction that we’re going to do it..”
Arteta went on to say: “we haven’t been in this position in the Champions League in our history (three quarter finals) so we have overcome a lot of hurdles – 140 years, the team is doing something incredible as it’s never been done before…we want to go to the next step for sure…we are very, very close…”
Arteta was also asked if he shows his players any of the ‘bottle jobs’ social media talk: “I show them people who love those players for what they are doing. It’s unprecedented at this club,” the Arsenal boss responded firmly.