A clearly frustrated Arteta discussed Carabao Cup rescheduling, while trying not to elaborate too much on the extent of Gyokeres injury - but still had time for a smile when chatting about old playing
Three Things We Learned from Mikel Arteta’s Slavia Prague vs Arsenal pre-match press conference here in the Czech capital
A clearly frustrated Arteta discussed Carabao Cup rescheduling, while trying not to elaborate too much on the extent of Gyokeres injury - but still had time for a smile when chatting about old playing pals Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Tomas Rosicky
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Mikel Arteta speaking during his press conference that I attended at Slavia Prague’s stadium in the capital of the Czech Republic on Monday evening.
1 - Arteta left unimpressed with League Cup scheduling
It’s fair to say Mikel Arteta was not best impressed after the news broke that the Gunners are now to face Crystal Palace on Tuesday, December 23 - a mere 48 hours after their tough trip to face Everton at their new ground, to make it a total of eight games in December.
It says something when even the EFL are annoyed, criticising the“undermining” of the Carabao Cup after it was forced to compromise on the date of Palace’s quarter-final because of fixture congestion.
Speaking during his pre-match press-conference here in the capital of the Czech Republic on Monday evening, a stony-faced Arteta quite firmly insisted that the powers-that-be now need to move his side’s post-Christmas clash against Brighton in the interests of‘equality’.
Quite how this is to be achieved is unsure, given that the fixture list is jam-packed, and the match is currently scheduled for Saturday, December 27 - a mere 72 hours before their Emirates clash against Aston Villa on Tuesday, December 30.
While the Arsenal team were in the air flying to Prague, the EFL released a statement that read:“To continue making endless concessions only serves to undermine the reputation of the EFL Cup.”
When pressed further Arteta during his presser, the Basque-born boss said it was a matter for the club to make representations to the relevant authorities.
When asked whether a request had been made, Arteta said coyly that he would“leave that to the club” insisting they “are very clear on what’s the best thing and the most logical date to play,” - even if he also admitted they may “have to adapt...”
Suffice to say, I’m not sure even Arteta believes a new revised date will happen.
From where I was sitting in Slavia’s media theatre, you could describe his attitude as frustrated, as he added: “We want respecting…”
2 - Arteta left stony-faced with yet another injury…
There are times when Arteta is impish in his pre-match pressers, a glint in his eye, as he toys with the idea of revealing a morsel of information that could benefit his rivals - or equally confuse, bamboozle or offer a red herring to them.
Then, there are times when he point blank refuses to elaborate on an injury.
Which is what the Arsenal boss did here at Slavia’s ground, when asked to elaborate on the extent of Viktor Gyokeres injury.
All he could say was: “Victor Gyokeres is not available, he hasn’t trained today, and we need to do some more tests and scans to understand the extent of the injury.
“I am concerned because he does not have any muscular issues, and for him to leave the pitch as he was feeling something is never a good sign. We’ll announce the moment we know more.”
3 - The Arsenal bond runs deep
Arteta’s beaming smile only briefly flickered and returned on Monday evening when he spoke about former colleagues and teammates.
The news that former Gunner Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is back training at Arsenal as he plots his next transfer move, prompted a rear smile from Arteta in Prague.
The former Liverpool and Southampton star, who spent six years at the Emirates under Arsene Wenger - as well as playing alongside Arteta - is a free agent after agreeing to a mutual termination of his Besiktas contract this summer.
The 32-year-old is hoping for a return to the top flight of English football, and Arsenal have kindly allowed the Champions League winner - albeit as an unused substitute during Liverpool’s 2019 victory over Spurs - to train with the youth side at the club’s HQ London Colney, in a bid to assist him in finding a new club.
A generous Arteta said AOL was a: “Top character.
“He’s one of the best characters I’ve met in football.
“If we can help him, we can give him the space for him to get up to speed and have the capacity to find a club. It’s a joy.
“The boys will learn from it. I had the privilege to play with him.
“If he’s around, he will be a really good role model to have around the team.
(As an aside I interviewed Oxlade-Chamberlain one-on-one at Colney around 2016, and he was a lovely, lovely guy, even if I got the impression that he didn’t fully believe just how good he could be.)
The only other smile from Arteta came when a Czech journalist asked the Arsenal boss if he would be catching up with former colleague Tomas Rosicky during his time in Prague.
Arteta offered a rare but genuine smile at the thought of his old mate, and said in a mix of pride and friendship: “I have always said it - Tomas was one of my favourite players to play with and if I have the chance tomorrow and he is available, we will see each other and I will give him a hug and talk a little bit about football.”
Arteta also added he and his side are expecting a“really tough match” against an excellent Slavia Prague, praising them for being “unbeaten at home all season,”whose fans will“create a massive atmosphere”.
More from me tomorrow here in Prague.
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