Mikel Arteta was in good spirits ahead of Saturday’s home game against Fulham during the press conference at Arsenal’s Sobha Realty training ground. Following a speedy return from Madrid, the Gunners will play the Cottagers before facing Atletico’s side in the second leg of their Champions League draw.
The Spaniard is taking no prisoners, domestic or European.
“Hunger to play, hunger to compete, hunger to win,” he said. The message is clear: Arsenal are here to win, and they’re here to win it all.
“I think we have enough fuel in the tank,” he stated. “We’re playing to win the Premier League. It’s exactly what we want it to be.” Arteta was beaming from ear to ear as he looked back fondly on his side’s Premier League campaign.
“Let’s keep doing what we did all season and bring that energy, that passion and together we’re going to make it happen.”
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There has been a lot of talk around the Gunner’s siege mentality. When asked about it, Arteta responded “we certainly have that.” It’s rare for the Arsenal head coach to speak so decisively on the topic, but with only four games left of the season it’s all to play for. Why wouldn’t they have the siege mentality, though? They’ve certainly earned it.
It’s obvious that Arteta revels in the air of competition, and it’s heating up as his side enters the closing stages of both the Premier and Champions League. “Everything is at stake so it doesn’t get better than that.”
His squad have certainly had a fast turnaround coming into this weekend’s game. Ahead of their home fixture, Arteta will be focusing on “recovery and then clarity on what we have to do, [and] what we expect from the opponent.”
“Especially what we have to do to take the game where we want it, to win it,” Arteta stated, “and when you don’t have much time on the pitch, you have to do it in other ways, other methods.”
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It all comes in the lead up to their home fixture against Fulham. There is defined respect that comes from Mikel Arteta in addressing Fulham’s manager, Marco Silva. Arteta did not shy away from the fact that it will be a highly competitive match at the Emirates stadium.
“It’s a remarkable job what Marco is doing. I’ve said it many times, in my opinion, he’s one of the best managers in the league. The way he sets up his team and what he’s done for the club, it’s incredible. So we know how tough it’s going to be tomorrow,” he said.
Following Paul Scholes, Jamie O’Hara and other pundits comments on Martin Ødegaard over social media, Arteta reinforced the Norwegian’s place in the squad. There has been a lot of focus on the Gunners’ captain after he was taken off in the second half of the first leg at the Metropolitano.
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Arteta said he would see how everyone felt in the morning, as the squad had not been able to train that much with the quick turnaround of games this week. Instead, he highlighted Ødegaard’s leadership over the other members of the Arsenal squad.
”He is the captain for a reason,” he praised. “He has a personality, an aura, and a way to conduct and raise the standards.” Arteta is not listening to the chatter, preferring to focus on the game at hand.
Arteta talked proudly about the Norwegian after finding out about his mixed-zone interview after the first leg of the tie against Atletico Madrid. “I’m glad to hear he spoke well because when he talks, he talks.” He sees a defined leader in Ødegaard and refuses to let those comments affect the squad’s mentality.
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The manager gave a glowing review. “He’s more about actions than talking, but when he does talk, I think it’s very impactful.” Arteta clearly sees Ødegaard as a key player, and the respect given is of the highest degree.
Arteta is building a legacy, and Martin Ødegaard is a key part of that. To him, every remaining moment counts, no matter the competition. Like his players, the Arsenal head coach is taking it day by day. Arteta is under a lot of pressure and certainly has a lot on his mind, with the pressure of the title race. To him, there is no time like the present.
“The impact that you can have in the moment now is going to define the history of the club. That’s a very powerful thing to have,” he stated. “When you have the opportunity to make history in such a way, you have to embrace it. That’s it.”
Olly Morgan
Olly is a Welsh photojournalist and sports writer based in London. A film graduate, Olly has worked in a variety of roles across the media sector, but always returns to the intersection between sports media and live broadcast. A former FIG tumbler, Olly has a keen interest in para-sport and its increasing coverage across disciplines. She is most likely to be found pitchside with her camera covering game days, reporting on live events, or catching the latest Newcastle United game. Contact: linkedin.com/in/ollymorgan37 [email protected]
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