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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has spoken to the media ahead of this weekend’s clash with Burnley.
Arsenal have secured an excellent eight-game winning streak heading into the clash at Turf Moor and can now win four top-flight games in a row without conceding for the first time since Arteta was in the side back in 2014.Looking to extend their seven-point lead at the top, Arteta first gave some team news on a number of players who are set to return over the next few weeks.
“(Gabriel) Martinelli is still out. (William) Saliba, we will have to wait and see because we have another training session this afternoon. The rest are getting closer but not available yet.”
On how long Martinelli could be out for: “We aren’t sure yet, but I think this game will come too soon.”
On Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz who are seeking to return: “I would say weeks. Some of them pretty soon, hopefully. If they keep evolving the way they are doing.
“After the international break, I think we will have some back. I don’t know if it will be all of them or some of them, but we will be quite close by then.”
The Spanish head coach then sent a message to his side, who in midweek set a new English football record by becoming the first top-flight team to play six games in a single month and not concede one goal.
“(Keep the foot on the gas) and maintain the level of urgency. (Keep) the concentration, the focus and the ambition we are showing in every game. Every game brings different challenges. Sometimes we have to be very patient, some of the times we have to have a different approach.
“It’s a big opportunity that we have ahead of us, but we have to continue with that level of consistency, and we know how difficult that is. Tomorrow is going to be an extremely tough match for us, and we’re going to have to again hit those performance levels to end the game.”
Next, questions turned to Burnley, who are five points clear of the relegation zone after an impressive start.
“It is going to be really tough. They are well coached. What he (Burnley manager Scott Parker) has done with the club is formidable.
“When you look at all of their games – say the last five games they have played – they are a very tough team to beat.”
