“Bukayo’s ready to go!” Arteta on Saka’s return, Calafiori’s injury and Berta’s appointment
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hosted his pre-match press conference on Monday ahead of tomorrow night’s Premier League clash with Fulham and answered questions on several topics, including the return from injury of Bukayo Saka and the appointment of Andrea Berta as the club’s new sporting director.
Below is a selection of what Arteta had to say.
On Bukayo Saka
“Bukayo is ready to go. All the careful things we have already done, so now it’s about putting him on the grass in the right moments. But he’s pushing because he really wants it. We have respected the timeframe, we have done everything. We have had to hold him back even, so he’s ready to go.”
Could he be in a position to start against Fulham?
“Yes.”
How much of an impact Saka can have
“It’s another massive weapon that we have with him. We know the impact that he’s had on the team and how important his role and contribution is to our success, so great to have him back.”
On whether he is confident Saka will be able to hit the ground running
“Yes, especially to get that out of your head. You haven’t played for three months, but you’ve played for the last 48 months, so three in 48 is a very small percentage. I haven’t done the housekeeping duties for a week, but I’ve done them for 10 years. So I know how to do it, how to sustain it and I’m clever enough to maintain that. The habit is certainly there, so don’t think about that.”
On what Saka’s mindset is to be back
“It’s more the energy that he transmits. He’s missed the thing that he loves to do the most in his life which is to be around the team, to play, to train and to compete at the highest level. The fact that he’s been able to come back at the most important part of the season is a massive boost for him and for the team as well.”
On Calafiori and Timber
“Riccardo unfortunately picked up an injury again with the national team, really unfortunate with the way it happened. It could have been much worse, so hopefully it’s going to be a matter of weeks, but we have to see how that injury evolves. With Jurrien, he was ill for a long period, quite badly. But he’s been much better the last few days so he is available.”
On Andrea Berta’s appointment
“It’s a big addition to the club, a big addition to the team, a team that is already formed with a lot of great people with Rich leading it obviously. It’s about building now that chemistry and that belief. Josh has been fully involved in the process as well, so we are very excited to have him.
“The words that always come out [of his mouth] are always winning, improving and demanding. He’s a person who is very honest, very straight forward, very clear vision of what he wants to do. He was so willing to join us which is a positive thing as well because he had many other possibilities and he’s chosen to come to us and now it’s about us giving him the support and understanding of the context straight away and for him to start doing what he’ seen doing for many, many years at the highest level which has been very impressive.”
On whether Berta can help unlock the potential at Arsenal?
“We certainly believe he is someone who is going to impact the club. He’s got that experience, that personality as well, that charisma and has a drive and will to win that is going to be very contagious. To have people with different experience and expertise and that they have already done it [winning] is very, very helpful. What I liked the most was how much he wanted to come to the club. I was really attracted and excited about that and then the way he believes he can help us achieve what we want.”
On how Berta can help this summer window with so many plans already in place
“The good thing is the strong team we already have in place and all the work on recruitment that Jason [Ayto], James [King] and all the boys have been doing and everything is prepared. Now that planning has to be ticked, because what you plan and what you execute, most of the time, ends up being a bit different. But the direction and vision of what we want to do is clear. He will jump on board with that and hopefully he will twist it and make it better. That’s why he’s here.”