Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Thursday’s Champions League game at Atalanta (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Arteta confirmed that both Bukayo Saka and Ricardo Calafiori took part in training on Wednesday and are available for the game.
However, a scan showed captain Martin Odegaard has a “quite significant” injury to his ankle and he will be out “for a while”.
On playing without him: “We have to show that [we can]. He is our captain – one of our biggest players, without a doubt. He has been one of our most consistent players in past two or three seasons. Our identity is related to his way of playing and behaving, and we have to deal with that.”
He said it is “different” having to play Champions League football on a Thursday, but that they are “really happy and motivated” for the first game.
On if it is a disadvantage on Sunday when they face Manchester City, who play at home on Wednesday: “Hopefully not. Hopefully we have the energy still from what happened on Sunday [winning at Tottenham]. We have recovered a few players which is very important for us and we play a competition which we absolutely love, so we look at the positives.”
Arteta will not be resting players against Atalanta, saying they “have to put the players out that we believe are the best to win”.
On the difference between playing away in the Premier League compared with in Europe: “At this level there are small details and moments that define the story of the competition and defines the story of game. The Premier League is a bit different. Teams in Europe are ruthless and you have to be at your best to get results.”
On whether the team have learned from last year’s European campaign: “I hope so. That is the aim. It was great campaign for us. We got further than we had in many years – but we want more, so they show their hunger. We have ability and quality, and now we have to build on it.”
Arteta said the change in format that has increased games for players was “for all the football fans and people that love the sport” and “to give a better product and more entertainment”. He added: “Now they have to deliver it.”
