Arsenal host Crystal Palace in the Premier League tonight at the Emirates Stadium, with a win set to keep the title race alive heading into the weekend. However, manager Mikel Arteta insists he’s not focused on Liverpool’s clash with Tottenham and is fully concentrated on the task at hand.
“It’s what we have, let’s take the opportunity, first of all, and earn the right to win the game tomorrow against a good side, which has a really good record away from home as well. And I said, I will have time to prepare the game well,” said the head coach.
“We have more days, but the number of options we have is not that many. Especially because of where some other players are coming and the amount of minutes that they can play, but it’s good to have a little gap, because we are, we are really short in numbers.“
Embed from Getty ImagesBukayo Saka picked up a knock over the weekend against Ipswich, but Mikel Arteta expects his star man to get some minutes tomorrow night ahead of next week’s Champions League clash with PSG.
“We have to wait and see now how he reacts after the session, but he’s nothing too serious,” revealed Arteta.
“That’s what you are hoping for, and the way he’s prepared, he was giving good signs that he could impact the game like he normally does. But, to be playing at that level after missing three, three and a half months, it’s not that easy at all. So credit to him and all the staff who work with him.”
Gabriel Martinelli netted his 50th goal for Arsenal over the weekend, and Arteta believes it’s just the beginning for the Brazilian forward.
“When you look at the consistency shown over the last few years and the amount of goals he has scored at his age, and the contribution to a big club like Arsenal is not easy at all. So, I think he’s on the right path,” he added.
“He’s a fantastic player to work with, his work ethic, his understanding, his desire to play every minute of every competition. That’s the kind of characters and leaders that we want in the team. And I’m very, very happy with him.”
Arsenal know a loss against Crystal Palace will hand Liverpool the Premier League title, making it an utterly crucial clash. The game at the Emirates Stadium will kick off at 20:00 GMT on April 23rd.