Mikel Arteta Addresses Player Injuries, Squad Balance, and Managerial Comparisons Ahead of Carabao Cup Match

Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, addressed reporters ahead of the Carabao Cup last-16 fixture on Wednesday against Preston North End, scheduled for a 19:45 GMT kick-off. Below are the main points from his press briefing. Arteta confirmed that Gabriel is “still assessing” but his condition “doesn’t look that bad.” Conversely, Riccardo Calafiori is expected to be sidelined “for a few weeks” due to an injury. Regarding the fitness of captain Martin Odegaard, Arteta stated: “He’s been on the grass for a few weeks but there is still a few boxes to tick. Hopefully he’ll be back before the international break.” The team aims to achieve “the right balance” as they compete across four different competitions, with Arteta emphasizing their desire to “want to win them all.” He further commented: “We have a chance tomorrow to carry on the momentum and put a strong team out there.” When questioned about whether the support from the Arsenal board made him “un-sackable,” Arteta responded: “Nobody is un-sackable. When this happens you have earned something and you have it in the bank somehow, but we are here to win football matches – never forget that.” Addressing a query about the duration of his time in the managerial position, he stated: “Very unusual. Unfortunately it is very unusual. I will carry on with my job in the best possible way and football matches are the most important thing and you have to win many of them to keep your job.” Regarding the importance of the League Cup, Arteta remarked: “It is important because it keeps everyone alive. It can help you maintain the winning habit which is really, really important. You show that you care about every competition regardless of what you play. You have to compete for every match you are in or you are out. The margins are so small and tomorrow we face a tough opponent.” Discussing the upcoming game as an opportunity for squad players, he commented: “There are players who haven’t played much. They will have a chance tomorrow, but you have to earn the right to play. When you have that right then you have to perform and you have to perform in a way to win the game and impact the team.” The manager described academy graduate Myles Lewis-Kelly as possessing a “huge personality” and someone who “doesn’t care who he plays.” Arteta stressed that the club has “full belief and he is showing qualities that we want. He has earned the right to play those games.” Addressing remarks from pundit Jamie Carragher suggesting Arteta’s tactical approach aligns more with Jose Mourinho’s than Pep Guardiola’s, Arteta responded: “I don’t talk about myself. I leave him to give his opinion.”