The top five updates Mikel Arteta had to share in the Arsenal coach’s pre-game press conference ahead of facing Tottenham Hotspur, including on Jurrien Timber’s injury
A trip to N17 awaits the Gunners on Sunday for the north London derby with Arsenal aiming to claim back-to-back league wins at Tottenham for the first time since 1988. An own goal by Hugo Lloris (14’) and captain Martin Odegaard scoring sealed Arsenal a 2-0 win last season.
History awaits Arsenal if Arteta orchestrates a repeat away to Tottenham on Sunday, as well. The Gunners have never kept consecutive clean sheets away to Spurs in Arsenal’s history as a club. Ange Postecoglou’s side also rescued a 2-2 draw at Emirates Stadium in September.
Arsenal go into the north London derby with a chance to improve their position at the top of the Premier League table, too. The Gunners have just a one-point lead over Manchester City, who visit Nottingham Forest on Sunday and will also hold two games in hand before kick-off.
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The clock is also ticking down on Arsenal’s title run-in with Tottenham the start of their final four fixtures. So, with that in mind, here are the top five updates that Arteta had to share in his pre-game press conference for Arsenal’s trip to Tottenham for the north London derby…
Mikel Arteta confirms Jurrien Timber is Arsenal’s only injury concern to face Tottenham
“It’s true [that] apart from Jurrien, who is going to be very close, that we have everybody available. And that’s a huge boost that elevates the training session, the competition between the players and the challenges to pick the right line-up to change the game.”
Arteta also added: “We’re going to have to make that decision tomorrow after the training session. He’s very close, I don’t know if it’s going to come a bit too early for him. But he’s very close, I would say.”
Mikel Arteta praises Thomas Partey and Leandro Trossard for providing a ‘good headache’
“It’s a good headache. So, yeah, you feel for the players because I see how much they want it and how much everyone wants to start and contribute to a team and impact the team in the right way. So, it is always difficult.
“It’s part of the job. But, as well, they’re fully ready to come on the pitch whenever it’s time that we need them to try to help us to win matches and the spirit is so good.”
Mikel Arteta thinks Ange Postecoglou’s done a ‘really impressive’ job at Tottenham
“Yeah, [it is] really impressive what he’s done. I’m not surprised because I have known him since he was in the Australian national team, when he was in Japan, as well. I followed him when he was at Celtic. He’s always been super clear with a really clear direction and identity of how his teams play and I love the way his teams play. So, I think he’s been very good.”
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal need to make ‘our own history’ 20 years after the Invincibles
“There are moments, obviously, that are very important in our history and I’m sure that a lot of [the] players know about it. Certainly, the staff and the ones that have been here long enough know about it. And it’s about making our own history now.”
Mikel Arteta expects a ‘very difficult’ derby as Tottenham haven’t played since March 13
“I don’t know. What I can tell you is that the boys are going to be fully ready on Sunday to go, to play against a great opponent. It’s gonna make things very difficult for us and we’re going to have to be very good to beat them.”
