Mikel Arteta provides update on 4 Arsenal stars ahead of Manchester United clash
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was asked to address the fitness issues of four players at the club - Gabriel Magalhaes, Thomas Partey, Mikel Merino, and Riccardo Calafiori - ahead of their mid-week clash against Manchester United. The two sides will face each other in the Premier League on Wednesday, December 4, at the Emirates Stadium.
Gabriel and Calafiori started the game against West Ham United last weekend but were subbed off. Partey and Merino, meanwhile, failed to make the matchday squad.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Arteta said (via Arsenal's official website):
"We’re going to have a meeting this afternoon. We have done a training session, we have monitored and kept a few away from certain activities and after that meeting we will decide if everyone is fit and available and who will start."
The Gunners are currently second in the league table, level on points with Chelsea, and nine behind leaders Liverpool. They are coming off a 5-2 win against the Hammers from last weekend.
Ruben Amorim details what he wants from Manchester United in their game against Arsenal
Ruben Amorim registered his first Premier League victory last weekend against Everton at Old Trafford, winning 4-0. His team will now face Arsenal, and here is what he said he expects from United (via BBC):
"It is important to be brave. Not in pressing all the time high, we have to understand the game and moments of the game. We need to have the ball - we also want to dominate some moments of the game because in these matches it is hard to control all of the game. We have to be brave and to play the game."
Speaking about the importance of togetherness in his squad, Amorim added:
"That is something you cannot buy, the pedigree and size of the club. That is something we have to use. It is a key point for us and improving the youth teams, creating a connection with everybody to put the club where it needs to be."
Amorim's first game ended in a 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town, followed by a 3-2 win against Bodo/Glimt in the UEFA Europa League.
