Arteta on team news, Palace again and his evolution

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Saturday’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace (kick-off 17:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

Riccardo Calafiori and Declan Rice are available, while Oleksandr Zinchenko “has a chance of making it”.
The game comes too soon for defender Takehiro Tomiyasu as he remains sidelined.
On playing Palace again: “It is different, but we don’t have to analyse them too much. I am sure both sides will change a few things and personnel. We know what it’s like to go to Selhurst Park and we have to prepare for that.”
Arteta said he was “really pleased” with Gabriel Jesus’ performance on Wednesday.
On progress this season: “The unity, the connection and the fact we are competing on big fronts right now. We haven’t managed to do that in recent years so that’s positive.”
He said building a connection with fans “takes time” but five years on he feels there is “a common respect and feeling” between him and the fans.
On if he has looked ahead to five years time: “No. You have to live in the present in this job. 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.”
He admitted he was “very obsessed with the tactical aspects of the game” when he arrived in 2019 and had “to evolve” when football was paused during the Coronavirus pandemic.

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