Mikel Arteta has delivered a double injury boost by confirming that both Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori will be available for Arsenal’s Saturday evening trip to Crystal Palace.
Additionally, Arteta, who is celebrating five years as Arsenal manager today, revealed that Oleksandr Zinchenko is also close to returning from injury.
This comes after a challenging period for the Gunners, during which six different players capable of playing at full-back have been sidelined.
“Rice and Calafiori are both available to be in the squad. Zinchenko probably available as well,” Arteta said at his pre-match press conference.
Arteta admitted he has not made a plan for the next five years as he reflected on a transformative period during which Arsenal have re-established themselves as Premier League title contenders under his leadership.
“You have to live in the present in this job,” he said.
“You can prepare for the mid to long-term but you have to be in the moment to understand how things are working and putting processes in place to make better decisions.”
Mikel Arteta added: “The unity, the connection and the fact we are competing in big fronts right now. We haven’t managed to do that in recent years so that’s positive.
“I am here because I am so passionate about what I do and I love this football club. I try to be the best version every day.
“Those things take time.
“There was a connection here with the fans because I was a player and captain here but after going through different situations together it had galvanised the relationship.”
Asked about what he needs to improve as a coach, Arteta said: “In all of them [aspects].
“I was very obsessed with the tactical aspect when I arrived but after two months I realised there was no tactics to do because we were sitting at home [during the Covid-19 pandemic].
“We had to look after the emotional and physical well-being of the players. You have to evolve.”
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