Mikel Arteta’s pre-Ipswich presser: Saka MAJOR BLOW, Injury Updates, Tactical Adjustments, Ipswich Clash & more

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faces the press ahead of the team's upcoming match against Ipswich Town, providing updates on the latest injuries, tactical adjustments, and his thoughts on the fixture schedule.
 

Saka and Sterling Injuries

Arteta confirmed that Bukayo Saka's injury is severe, ruling him out for "many weeks." While he couldn't specify the exact duration, he emphasized that the team will have to adapt without their star player. Raheem Sterling, on the other hand, is expected to undergo further testing to determine the extent of his knee injury. Arteta acknowledged that Sterling will be out for a while, leaving the team to find alternative solutions.
 

Tactical Adjustments

With Saka and Sterling sidelined, Arteta is exploring different options to fill the void. He mentioned that Gabriel Martinelli, who has played on the right wing before, is a strong contender to replace Saka. Additionally, Arteta is considering other players like Jesus, Nwaneri, Trossard, and Havertz to take on new roles and responsibilities.
 

Jesus Finding Form

Arteta also praised Gabriel Jesus's recent form, highlighting his crucial goals in the team's last two matches. However, Arteta emphasized that Jesus's success is not isolated, but rather a result of the team's collective effort: "We've been very strong the last few years at scoring a lot of goals from various players and sharing the responsibility across the team," Arteta said.
 

Squad Depth and January Transfers

Arteta emphasized the importance of utilizing the current squad to its full potential. While he didn't rule out the possibility of making signings in the January transfer window, his primary focus is on maximizing the team's existing resources: "The preparation is done, and we are ready if something happens," Arteta said. "But the main focus is now on how we can strive to distill the potential that there is in this squad.”
 

Fixture Schedule and Player Welfare

Arteta expressed concerns about the demanding fixture schedule and its impact on player welfare. He cited the example of Saka and Declan Rice, who have played an excessive number of games in the past two seasons. Arteta believes that the current schedule is unsustainable and may lead to more injuries: "It's probably more the accumulation of seasons," he said. "You can't just play and recover; you need to train and recover. The body needs to train, the muscle needs to train."
 

Governance and Schedule Reform

Arteta called for governing bodies to take a more proactive approach to addressing the issues surrounding the fixture schedule. He acknowledged that finding a solution is challenging, but emphasized the need for change to prioritize player welfare: "I hope they are listening," Arteta said. "Whoever is in charge can actually do something right now with the commitments that are already in place in the next three or four seasons."
 

Saka's Reaction and Road to Recovery

Arteta revealed that Saka was devastated by the news of his injury. However, Arteta is confident that Saka will bounce back, and his energy and body language will remain positive despite his absence from the pitch: "He's going to need a few days," Arteta said. "But he's so important in that dressing room. His energy level, his body language, the way he communicates with the rest of the team has to be really, really good."
 

Opponent Analysis: Ipswich Town

Arteta praised Ipswich Town's coach, Kieran McKenna, and acknowledged that the team has been unfortunate not to have secured more wins. He anticipates a tough match and is preparing his team to adapt to Ipswich's playing style: "I'm very impressed," Arteta said. "You can tell how they're coached, what they're trying to do. They've been very unfortunate in many games not getting the results that they deserve."
 

Rice's Role and Versatility

Arteta also discussed Declan Rice's role in the team, highlighting his versatility and ability to adapt to different situations.: "With the squad that we have, he needs to be versatile," Arteta said. "With the qualities that he has, he needs to be versatile. With the brain that he has, versatile. With the age that he has, versatile." Arteta emphasized that Rice's ability to play in different roles is crucial to the team's success.

As the team prepares to face Ipswich Town, Arteta remains confident in his players' ability to adapt and overcome challenges. Despite the setbacks, Arteta is focused on finding solutions and maximizing the team's potential.