Mikel Arteta responds to Pep Guardiola
Mikel Arteta responds to Pep Guardiola's comment
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has dismissed suggestions from Pep Guardiola that they are the best team in the world. He said that the Gunners need to win trophies before they can be handed that title.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Wolverhampton clash, Guardiola hailed Arsenal and called them the best team in the world. The Manchester City said that the Gunners have dominated the four competitions they are on and said:
"Absolutely (it will be harder), they are the best team in the world right now. Look in the Champions League, look in the Premier League, look in FA Cup, Carabao Cup so they are best team right now."
However, Arteta was not interested in the 'best in the world' tag, saying they are far from perfect. He added that they need to win trophies to be at the top and said:
"I don't know. I think we are the team that wants to be constantly better, that we're doing a lot of things right, but we are far from perfect, and our only aim is to sustain the level that we are doing, but especially in certain areas, try to improve again. To be related to that (best In the world), you have to win a lot of things and we haven't."
Arsenal have won just one major trophy under Mikel Arteta, the FA Cup in 2020, and have been trophyless in the last five seasons.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on Kai Havertz fitness
Reports earlier this week suggested that Kai Havertz was facing a fitness issue, and that Arsenal were trying to ensure the knee inflammation did not worsen. Mikel Arteta has not spoken about the knee issue, but said that the German is close to full fitness and said:
"He is very close. Obviously, he has been out for a long time, almost a year, for different reasons, and now we have to be very smart in the manner that we manage that load, the minutes, and I am sure that in the next few weeks, he is going to play in minutes."
"I cannot tell you which competition because that will depend as well on the game context, and it is a context that is positive to throw him in or not, with his qualities. It is great that we have him. We can use him in different positions, we will see him in different positions, and we are really happy to have him."
Havertz has played just 29 minutes since returning from injury. He has yet to play in the Premier League since returning, and his only appearance this season was against Manchester United on the opening day.