Arsenal press conference: Mikel Arteta on White and Saka injuries, Trossard and
Mikel Arteta Press Conference Highlights: White and Saka Injuries, Trossard, and Nottingham Forest
Ahead of Arsenal's Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest, Mikel Arteta addressed the media at the Sobha Realty Centre. The Gunners return after the international break, hoping to regain momentum in their quest for the title. Here’s a breakdown of key points from the press conference:
Injury Updates
Ben White
Status: Out for months following knee surgery.
Arteta’s Comments: "Ben is gonna be out for months. It’s been different kinds of struggles, never the same thing. It got to a point where we have to protect the player. Unfortunately, it’s going to be a few months."
Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice
Status: Participated in partial training sessions.
Arteta’s Comments: "Bukayo and Declan are very good; they had partial sessions."
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Status: Out for a few weeks.
Arteta’s Comments: "He’s gonna be away now for a few weeks to continue his treatment and change his environment a bit. He feels terrible being out, but hopefully, this can unlock him."
Riccardo Calafiori
Status: Rehab successful; back in training.
Arteta’s Comments: "Riccy trained today. His rehab has gone really well. He will be in the squad."
Kieran Tierney
Status: Has started training but not fully fit.
Arteta’s Comments: "Kieran is not yet ready. He had a couple of sessions with the team."
Player Updates
Leandro Trossard
Status: Recovered and trained partially with the team.
Arteta’s Comments: "Trossard seems to be OK. He trained this morning and is feeling good. He was able to do part of that session."
Team Form and Title Race
Arsenal has struggled in the Premier League recently, earning just five points from the last 15 available. They are now nine points behind league leaders Liverpool.
Arteta’s Focus: Returning to winning ways starting with Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium.
On Meeting the Kroenke Family
Arteta described recent discussions with the Kroenkes as positive: "It’s always really positive to spend time together. We talked about the windows and where we’re taking the club after Edu. They have so much experience in the sport. You feel their ambition and how closely they live every day with us."
On Jason Ayto and the Backroom Staff
Arteta praised Jason Ayto and the team's behind-the-scenes efforts: "Jason and all the team. Edu and I get a lot of the praise, but the work behind it is this guy’s. It’s not easy to wake up and go into a different office."
Outlook for the Nottingham Forest Match
Arsenal aims to bounce back against Forest to climb the table and stay in the title race. With injury concerns easing slightly, the Gunners hope to regain their momentum as the festive season approaches.Forest
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