Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Saturday’s Premier League game against Nottingham Forest at EmMirates Stadium (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
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Defender Ben White will miss “months” because of an ongoing knee injury that will require surgery. Arteta said Arsenal “made the decision to protect the player” and a timescale for his return is unknown.
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In better news, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka returned to partial training today, while Leandro Trossard also trained and “seems to be OK”. Riccardo Calafiori is available for Saturday’s game.
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However, Takehiro Tomiyasu is “going to be out for a little while” and Arteta warned “we will have to be patient” with him. Kieran Tierney is also not quite ready but has “had a couple of sessions with the team.”
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More from Arteta on Tomiyasu: “He’s gonna be away now for a few weeks to continue with his treatment and change his environment a bit. Physiologically it has been really tough for him. He’s a guy that will work 24 hours to be fit and he feels terrible being out.”
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Arteta reflected on reaching 250 games in charge at Emirates Stadium: “On what will be his 250th game in charge: “I am extremely grateful and happy. I have enjoyed every minute because I love the people I work with every day. I know how lucky I am to be here every day. It is about winning and we want to win more and trophies, so it is a journey.”
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In response to whether he could do another 250, Arteta added: “If it is about energy, then for sure!”
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He added: “The energy from the players in the last 48 hours has been unbelievable” and said he hopes that will be carried through to Saturday’s home game.
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He said Arsenal should have won more games before the break but it is now about improving on weaknesses.
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On meeting owners the Kroenke family over the break: “It’s always really positive to spend time together. It’s a joy to spend time with them. They have so much experience in the sport. You feel the ambition with how close they live every day with us.”
Follow all of Friday’s Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day’s football news
Full commentary of Arsenal v Nottingham Forest from 15:00 GMT on Saturday on BBC Radio 5 Live
