Mikel Arteta on Jorginho’s injury, Calafiori’s return, Ipswich and Partey contract talks
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faced the media on Friday afternoon ahead of Sunday’s trip to struggling Ipswich Town in the Premier League.
The Gunners boss spoke about how things have been since Wednesday night’s remarkable win at Real Madrid in the Champions League, as well as giving updates on the latest Arsenal team news.
Here is a selection of what he had to say.
On whether there was time for any celebrations after Wednesday night
“For a short period of time, yes. It was a great evening, we had lots of family and a lot of happy faces around. It was a good moment, but immediately you have to switch it off and now it’s Ipswich and the Premier League.”
What does a win like that show/prove?
“That we can compete in any contest against any opposition. Now the next step is consistency. We do it in the Champions League at that level, now we go to Ipswich, a tough team, and we have to do it again.”
On the latest team news
“Jorginho is not going to be available yet, he’s still struggling with that incident [against Brentford]. Riccy as well probably is not going to be available.”
On Jorginho’s chances of facing PSG in the first leg
“That’s probably a question for the doctors, it’s quite a specific and difficult matter. I will leave that to the club.”
On whether Calafiori will be back for PSG
“If everything goes well, I think so. Maybe a bit earlier, so let’s see. He’s on the pitch already, he’s doing quite a lot of stuff and we just need to make the right steps now to make sure that when he’s back he’s in a good place to perform.”
On what he will do against PSG if Jorginho doesn’t make it and with Thomas Partey banned
“A few options. We have a few options, obviously we are not going to give anything away. It depends on the players as well. If they are comfortable doing certain things and how we can maximise our qualities in relation to the game we expect against them.”
On Ipswich and the fact they have to win to avoid relegation on Sunday
“They are playing at home. It’s one of the few chances they have, but for us it’s a big game. We need to start winning games in the Premier League to at least maintain the position we are in and to push into the last few games with some hope. We know how tough it is going to be. They are a really well organised team. I think what Kieran has done is remarkable. You see every week how they perform and the amount of issues they give to the opposition so I think it’s going to be a really tough game.”
On Newcastle now being just four points behind Arsenal in fourth
“We were in a much better position but the last two draws have significantly changed that perspective and credit to Newcastle for the way they have been playing as well. So we need to step and start to win our games.”
On Thomas Partey’s contract and whether there has been any progress on his future
“Yeah, there is progress with all the players. I leave that to Andrea and the club to decide and to talk about.”
On whether the intention is to keep Partey
“The intention is very clear. I leave that to Andrea and the club to take steps forward.”