In the second half of his [pre-Southampton press conference](https://youtu.be/mle2oidMPHo?si=6hhNmZh_AfNWTM7B), Mikel Arteta was asked again about players withdrawing from international duty and returned to the idea that the League Cup final defeat should serve as motivation in the closing weeks of the season. He also discussed Kepa’s mood since his Wembley mistake and provided an update on Declan Rice’s fitness.
Here’s what he had to say…
**On the criticism aimed at the club after a spate of international withdrawals…**
I think it’s part of the narrative, but I understand that. I hope it’s been the same when we had a lot of players from the national team injured in the past – the same emphasis, because then it’s a fair comment, so it’s fine. Let’s see who is available and not tomorrow, and maybe we have to change the narrative.
**On responding to the defeat to City…**
Well, use it. The first part, if it’s like a ball of poison that you have in your tummy, take that out as quickly as possible with clarity. \[Ask\] how can I use that to make myself better, to make the team better? And there is a part that has to be there, and I think this is not going to go in the next 30 years, because when you have the opportunity to win a final in Wembley, you have to get it done. So that has to stay there, and that’s part of who you’re going to be in the next few weeks, in the next few months, in the next few years.
And learn from that, and make sure that that fire is still in that belly, remembering what happened.
**On Kepa’s mood since the League Cup final…**
Yeah, he’s ready. I’m never going to judge a player or make a decision on a player because he’s made an error. Attitude, behaviour, yes, 100 per cent. An error is part of football, and anybody can do it. The same Kepa took you to that final because of the penalties. Same player.
**On whether Kepa needed support during the international break…**
I don’t know if he needed it, but he had it, just in case. From all of them – his teammates first, then myself, all the staff, and, hopefully, all our supporters. I don’t think he needs it because he’s got so much history, and he’s been through all kinds of different scenarios in his career. He’s more than ready to play.
**On Thomas Tuchel saying Declan Rice is playing at 70 per cent capacity due to his fitness…**
Yeah, he’s been phenomenal because that’s been going on for a while. And the fact that he’s been able to perform and consistently commit to the team in that manner talks about how much he wants to play for us and how much he wants to win. And that’s great to see.
**On whether he, as a domestic coach, has to consider a player’s World Cup aspirations at this time of the season…**
Yes, everything is in consideration. I think we need to commit to the moment, and the moment here is Arsenal. And the moment they are the national team is the national team. If something happens in between, you cannot be thinking about that because your duty, your obligation, is to perform in whatever you are in that moment. And that’s what we expect from all the players.