Mikel Arteta press conference: Team news vs Oxford, FA Cup juggling, touchline behaviour
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta addressed the media on Saturday ahead of the Gunners’ trip to Oxford in the FA Cup on Monday night.
14 trophies makes Arsenal are the most successful club in the history of the competition, with Arteta himself delivering their most recent triumph in 2020.
The boss spoke primarily about topics around the game, but was also asked for an update on any transfer business, as well as his behaviour on the touchline in Arsenal’s draw with Newcastle.
Team news vs Oxford
“No, there’s no worries.”
Thoughts on Oxford
“It’s always tricky, I’ve played there a few times and have experienced very difficult matches, so it will be difficult. We have to take the competition and the opponent very seriously and play well, to a high level to win the match.
“It will be difficult. From what we’ve seen they’ve played in different ways, and result-wise as well they’ve had a bit of everything. It’ll be a very special night and everybody will raise their level and it will be tough.”
Juggling FA Cup commitments
“It is a competition that we are really looking forward to play in, and brings back huge memories to our football club and the team, because not many years ago we won it, but also last year how we went out of the competition. It’s a competition that we really want to play in and compete.”
Winning the FA Cup
“It is obviously a competition that is attached to the successful history of this club, so on Monday we’ll have a good start and a good test.
“The ambition is to win on Monday first, and then go slowly because it’s a long run.”
Touchline behaviour
“I try to do my best for this football club, to defend it, to promote it, to play with the passion I believe the game has to be played with. There are moments - it is not the way I behaved against West Ham, every game is special. Every manager behaves differently regarding the circumstances. You cannot take the context out of a situation - I don’t think that is fair. That’s me! Whether I am here or on the pitch, that’s me - the good and the bad!
“I will always try to be better. Whatever I do, if it is tomorrow or the next day, is to make the club stronger, my players better, play better and win. So if I have to do something, I will do it. If I have to change something, believe me, I will look in the mirror at myself and I will change it very quickly."
Transfer updates
“There are no updates.”