Mikel Arteta Addresses Newcastle Match, Injury Concerns, and Odegaard’s Return

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta addressed reporters ahead of Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Newcastle, scheduled for a 12:30 GMT kick-off. The following are the main points from his press conference: Arteta expressed his respect for Newcastle, stating, “Their position after nine games is tricky and they are a fantastic team. They are well-coached, intense and it is a great stadium to play in and we are looking forward to it.” The manager indicated that he has moved past his strong reaction to the officiating during last year’s game at St. James’ Park. He commented, “It is part of the past and part of the situation that happened that you learn from it and take positives. We move on. My intention is to say what I feel on the day. The referees are trying their best.” The Arsenal manager attributed the rise in player injuries to a combination of factors, explaining, “I think there are two aspects. One, I think we are quite unlucky and then obviously the demands on the players every week. All the restrictions that are hitting the squads means you can’t have that big squads and it is quite difficult to manage.” Arteta noted that incorporating meditation has been beneficial for both himself and his team. He stated, “I just want the best for the team and want to give the team the best chance to win games. We need to adapt to the rule changes and as well, I try to. I don’t want to miss any games. I can’t promise you that if we score a goal I won’t be jumping down the touchline. Hopefully, they have adapted and realised emotions are a big part of the game.” Regarding Martin Odegaard, Arteta confirmed the player is close to returning to action. He explained, “Now is the stage when he is going to start doing certain work with us and see how he deals with pain. He is physically now at the level that he is ready to compete. He looks ready so hopefully soon.”