Mikel Arteta has spoken to the press. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Every word Mikel Arteta said on Aaron Ramsdale return, Timber fitness and Partey Arsenal future

The Arsenal boss has spoken to the press ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Southampton this weekend

04 Oct 2024, 13:37 by Kaya Kaynak · football.london

How are Timber and White because they weren’t training?

We had to modify training for a lot of players. It was the same today because of the load that they had. There will be a decision to make this afternoon whether to involve them yes or no.

Are they close?

Yeah they are close. And Tomiyasu is close too. So it’s good news.

How are Zinchenko and Odegaard?

Alex probably after the international break if everything goes well. He’s progressing really well. Martin is very difficult. I expected still with the boot and a lot of things but he’s working so hard and he’s feeling good and he’s pushing it. So difficult to give a timeline.

You said the players had written down what to expect against Leicester. What will you do to reinforce the focus this week?

We know the significance of the match. Last week it was proven the tough schedule that we have. Even when you think the game is under control it can get out of hand immediately. So it was a good thing probably to happen the way it ended up. We know the quality of Southampton. In my opinion they’re a team that is extremely well coached, they have a clear philosophy and they’ve been very unlucky not to have many more points because there were moments in the game where they have far better than the opponents.

What do you make of Russel Martin sticking to his vision like you did early on in your time here?

I love that kind of behaviour. At the end you have to do what you feel. He’s proven that his philosophy is very successful what he did with Swansea and Southampton. Last year I think they were 25 games unbeaten. It was a joy to watch that team play. The same with Swansea. That’s it. From what I’ve seen they deserve much more than what they’ve had already. But this is the Premier League. The small details are so important to get the results.

Have you spoken to Ramsdale since he left?

Yeah. I called him straight away after I got the news. He was really happy. He’s a player that we loved a lot, very charismatic and he really put his fingerprints here at the club in the way that he was. It will be very good to see him.

How important is your current unbeaten run in terms of the momentum of the side?

That’s what we are trying to do. We had a really difficult fixture list after the international break, and a lot of unpredictable things in terms of injuries and players now being available on top of that. But we adapted. We look forward and we competed really well in all games. There are for sure aspects that we have to improve. But we have shown a lot of consistency and adaptability in the way that we can play and win games. These are all positive signs but it’s very early in the season still.

Why are we seeing such consistency from Havertz at the moment?

First of all because he’s so good, he wants it so much and he’s surrounded by great players around him. The fact that he’s got through some difficult moments have made him a better player and a better person I think.

What does the Emirates Stadium and managing in that arena mean to you?

It’s a huge privilege. Every time I’m sitting there and am surrounded by the incredible atmosphere and the supporters, it makes me incredibly proud about what we’ve built here, that are people feel proud of us, that the players enjoy what we do. And hopefully we can continue to win a lot of football matches.

Will you have to remind your players to be on their top level against the smaller teams?

I don’t think it’s very needed at this level. We know the quality and the opposition that we play every week in the Premier League. They’ve seen in the last two days what they do and what we have to do to win against them. They’re very aware that it’s going to be a tough match.

Is it bad if a manager like Russel Martin can’t adapt?

Every manager has a choice to do that. What I can tell you is that he has proven results are there. It’s clear. He has a very clear way of playing and a very clear identity and he’s very successful. It’s up to the manager. What I can say watching and analysing it is that’ he’s really good.

Is it a three-team race?

I think it is too early, we have just started. You can feel already the tension in every match, the importance of every match but we are just in early October so imagine.

How hard is it to let someone go like Aaron?

It is because personally I am grateful for what he did. When we signed him there was a lot of noise around him. We helped to create the environment he needed because we believed in his potential. He showed it and won the respect and admiration of all of us.

And then the circumstances changed because this is elite sport and can happen. Then it was difficult to deal with that situation in a natural way and we decided to part ways. Hopefully he is grateful as well.

How has the team evolved with Odegaard?

We had to be different. The impact that Martin has in everything we do is too big to try to replicate it with one player. We tried to do it in a different way by adapting a few things and playing on players’ qualities, players who can play in spaces and positions with the right chemistry around them. Maybe it took a game or two before everything started to flow a bit better, but I think we have found a way. But we still miss him (Martin) a lot as he is one of the most important players for us.

Gabriel and Saliba partnership getting stronger?

Yes, obviously they are incredibly important for us but I think the team has built that consistency and capacity to win matches because the eleven players are so committed in every phase of play and have this hunger and desire to compete for every ball.

Big test against Southampton?

Every three days we have an unbelievable test. Three days ago it was PSG, three days before that it was Leicester. Two completely different teams, expectations, ways of playing. Adapt to it, try to be ourselves with the same ambition and determination to win the game.

Had you considered a system change before?

Especially because we have to put players in positions and spaces that they can feel it, that they are in their strengths and hide our weaknesses as much as possible. Without Martin we have things we cannot do but as well we have a bigger threat in other areas and we have to make the most out of that.

Made the team more direct?

In certain games but is it because of Martin? More because of the behaviour of the opposition.

Can Kai be the player who gets 20+ goals this season?

He certainly has all the qualities and certainly has the ambition to do that. At the end scoring goals sometimes is about very small details and a lot of things have to go for you. But he has got it and his mind set has changed a lot in regard to that and he certainly has the ability to do it in my opinion.

Lost Odegaard last international break. Nervous about this one coming up?

(Bangs table laughing)

I prefer not to watch the games and listen to nothing. Just pray that everybody is going to be fine because the last one was a really difficult one to handle.

Too many breaks as it disrupts momentum?

It has been like this for years, we’re not going to change that. It is part of the duties they have so we have to adapt to that and hopefully be healthy.

Sir Alex used to encourage players not to go – have you had a similar chat?

First of all the player has to be healthy to go to their national team but when they are all of them when I speak to them want to be part of it. That is normal. It is a huge privilege to represent your country and to be involved. They all have their role and don’t want to lose it so you have to understand that as well.

Partey back playing at a good level a boost after injury woes?

Very important as he is a massive player for us. He has shown that for us week in, week out. He has started the season really well. The way he came back post-holidays it was probably the best condition he has been in so that was really helpful.

Now he needs to continue to adapt. We have managed certain minutes of him and he is doing everything he can to be in the best physical condition.

Are we seeing him at his best as some feared he wouldn’t return to that level?

It is about consistency. Obviously when you change certain habits, things don’t happen overnight. If it doesn’t happen in two or three weeks and you throw in the towel, you waste the next two or three years of your career. He is doing everything to adapt and his work ethic has been better than ever.

Defensively he has been really solid and with the ball he had moments. The other day was probably his most complete performance because he gave us everything we wanted from him

Playing for his future?

We are playing to find our best version and the most competitive team we can be to win every single game.

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