Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Wednesday’s Carabao Cup last-16 game against Preston North End (kick-off 19:45 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
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Arteta confirmed they are “still assessing” Gabriel but he “doesn’t look that bad”, however, Riccardo Calafiori will be out “for a few weeks” with injury.
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On captain Martin Odegaard’s fitness: “He’s been on the grass for a few weeks but there is still a few boxes to tick. Hopefully he’ll be back before the international break.”
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They will try and find “the right balance” while competing in four competitions but Arteta insisted they “want to win them all”. He added: “We have a chance tomorrow to carry on the momentum and put a strong team out there.”
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Asked if he was un-sackable because of the support he has had from the Arsenal board: “Nobody is un-sackable. When this happens you have earned something and you have it in the bank somehow, but we are here to win football matches – never forget that.”
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Asked about how long he’s been in the role he added: “Very unusual. Unfortunately it is very unusual. I will carry on with my job in the best possible way and football matches are the most important thing and you have to win many of them to keep your job.”
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On importance of the League Cup: “It is important because it keeps everyone alive. It can help you maintain the winning habit which is really, really important. You show that you care about every competition regardless of what you play. You have to compete for every match you are in or you are out. The margins are so small and tomorrow we face a tough opponent.”
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On this game being an opportunity for squad players: “There are players who haven’t played much. They will have a chance tomorrow, but you have to earn the right to play. When you have that right then you have to perform and you have to perform in a way to win the game and impact the team.”
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The manager says academy graduate Myles Lewis-Kelly has a “huge personality” and “doesn’t care who he plays”. Arteta emphasised they “have full belief and he is showing qualities that we want. He has earned the right to play those games.”
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On comments made by pundit Jamie Carragher that Arteta’s tactics are closer to Jose Mourinho’s than Pep Guardiola’s: “I don’t talk about myself. I leave him to give his opinion.”
