Arteta, on casualties and Liverpool: “We know how good we are”

Arsenal host Liverpool, leaders of the Premier League, on Sunday, with many doubts about its lineup due to the physical condition of several players, but Mikel Artetathe Gunners coach, remains confident that his team is good enough to win and climb back up the standings.

Arsenal, third, 4 points behind Liverpool after losing the previous day against Bournemouth (2-0), is obliged to win but Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber They doubted, while their captain and leader, Martin Odegaard, is still unavailable, although it is certain that the Norwegian coach, Confused Solbakkenassured today that he is close to returning after injuring his ankle in September while defending his country’s shirt against Austria.

Saliba came out due to suspension

Besides, Center back William Saliba is suspended after being kicked out of Bournemouth. A red led to Arsenal’s first defeat of the season. Despite the setbacks, Arteta remains optimistic.

“Obviously we don’t want to end up in that situation, but we are very lucky that we have the players, that we have the team, that we have the attitude that we have,” Arteta said today in a press conference.

“When it comes to reacting to difficult situations, we don’t feel sorry for ourselves, we face it. We are a team that knows how good we are and how difficult we are for rivals,” continued Arteta.

“We have had very difficult and challenging moments, but I don’t think this is one of them. We are very energetic, the atmosphere will be very strong and we are really looking forward to the game,” emphasized the Basque coach.

Saka has not played since retiring due to muscle discomfort of England-Greece (1-2) on October 10, while Calafiori was replaced on Tuesday in a 1-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League. In its part, The log is gone Arsenal’s last three games.

These are the ‘touches’

“We will do everything possible to make them available. It is very uncertain,” Arteta said. “Calafiori needs more tests. He did them yesterday, more to do today. The last time we thought it was very serious and he played two days later.”

Regarding Saka, he assured that “he trained a little in the grass How far we can go before Sunday is another question. Let’s see.” And about Timber he specified: “This is the first session in which he has participated. He’s been gone for a while. “We thought he would be ahead.”

Slot’s hand

Liverpool, under the command of its new coach Arne Slot, They also lost one game in the Premier (0-1 at Anfield against Nottingham), but have since won seven in a row (four in the Premier and three in the Champions League).

“They are in a very good moment and you can see the touch that he (Slot) gave to a team that was already very strong. You can see his hand,” said Arteta. “This is a team that has been competing at the highest level for nine years in all competitions. We are excited about it, it is a great opportunity. We love these types of games at the Emirates.”