"I will keep you guessing" - Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta hits back at criticism over false injury claims
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta retaliated after receiving criticism for supposedly falsifying the recovery timelines of his injured players. The Spaniard claimed that it is his duty to keep such matters under wraps until there is confirmation about a player reaching full match fitness.
The Gunners currently have a host of star players on the sidelines. New signing Riccardo Calafiori (knee) and club captain Martin Odegaard (ankle) are out with long-term injuries.
The participation of star winger Bukayo Saka and defender Gabriel in Arsenal's upcoming EPL clash against Newcastle United is also in doubt. When asked to give an update on the situation of his injured players, Arteta is known to remain secretive and not give anything away.
The 42-year-old received flak for being unclear while revealing the injury status of Saka and Calafiori before his side's 2-2 draw against Liverpool on October 27.
Hitting back at his critics in a press conference, he said (via football.london):
"That's my job. For me, I would tell you everything, but it has consequences. Sometimes I don't know if a player will be fit in two days' time when we do the press conference.
"I'm not gonna lie to you. I'm not gonna say he's not fit and then start him on Saturday. I would never do that. But if I am certain or I don't want to tell you, I will keep you guessing."
"I don't want to make it easy for nobody. If the opponent has to work and think and prepare, make sure they do their homework like I have to. I wish I knew their starting XI, subs and everything, but I don't. It's our job to guess and do the work that we have to do," Arteta added.
Arsenal will next take on Preston North End in the Round of 16 of the EFL Cup on Wednesday, October 30.
"Tomorrow they will play" - Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's comments indicate academy goalkeeper will feature vs Preston
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has indicated that academy graduate Tommy Setford will likely make his senior team debut in their EFL Cup Round of 16 clash against Preston North End.
The Gunners sold Aaron Ramsdale to Southampton for a reported £18 million fee just one day before deadline day. In the final hours of the window, they signed Brazilian shotstopper Neto on loan as a stop-gap option.
However, the 35-year-old featured in Bournemouth's 0-1 loss to West Ham in the second round of the cup. Subsequently, he is cup-tied and cannot feature for the North Londoners in the competition.
Speaking ahead of the game, Arteta indicated that Setford could potentially make his full senior debut for Arsenal. He said (via football.london):
"It's not a question about age. It's that if they play, it's because they deserve to the same as the rest of the players."
"At the end of the day we have to reward the people who each day they behave in a certain manner and they have the level to play in the manner we want to play in and if that's the case, I don't care if they are players from the academy, youth players, or seniors - tomorrow they will play."