Energy giver Arteta wants ‘reaction’ from his Gunners
ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta has called on his squad to step up and handle the pressure of the Premier League title race after they lost back-to-back games in all competitions.
Arsenal were dumped out of the FA Cup by Manchester City last month before they lost their first league game since September 1-0 at Everton last weekend.
Arteta’s side are five points clear of City at the top with a game in hand and they next host seventh-placed Brentford today.
“In football you’re going to lose matches. Very different ones we lost to City and against Everton,” Arteta said yesterday.
“But losing brings a lot of opportunities, where to look at other things and see the reaction of the team, which has been superb this week (in training).
“I am an energy giver, I don’t like energy suckers. I like people who give energy in many different ways.
“It could be body language, the tone of voice, hugging people, looking for solutions, no excuses – a lot of energy.”
Arteta refused to comment on the Premier League’s charges levelled at City, having been Pep Guardiola’s assistant at the club for three years.
He also said their focus was on the Brentford game and that the midweek top-of-the-table clash against the reigning champions four days later will have no bearing on team selection.
“Our only focus is about Brentford tomorrow, all the preparation has been about that,” he added.
Arteta confirmed Gabriel Jesus is doing well after his return to training from knee surgery but they would respect recovery time lines before setting a return date for the Brazilian
striker.
Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has called on his players to show why the club is special in Monday’s Merseyside derby at home to Everton in the Premier League.
The Anfield clash arrives with Liverpool languishing in 10th place in the table, while Everton are battling to avoid relegation.
Klopp knows victory against Everton is paramount, especially after a 3-0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend made it three defeats and just one point from their past four league games.
“This is not a time we wanted to have or a time we are happy to be in,” Klopp said yesterday. “It’s a time we can show that the club is really special.
“The boys delivered a lot of great moments in the last few years. We are fighting to change the situation in a better direction.
“I believe the better behaved in lower moments the quicker you get into good moments again. I am really looking forward to a proper derby atmosphere and a proper football game.”
Forward Diogo Jota, who suffered a serious calf injury in October, is ready to return to action, said Klopp.
“Diogo is the closest, trains now already for two days. Another three days and then he is in contention I would say,” Klopp said, although he confirmed that Virgil van Dijk is unlikely to feature despite returning to training and Thiago is doubtful with a hip niggle.
Everton, who drew 0-0 at home to Liverpool in September, are third from bottom but will be buoyant after beating leaders Arsenal 1-0 in Sean Dyche’s first game in charge.
Today (3pm unless stated): West Ham v Chelsea (2.30pm), Arsenal v Brentford, Crystal Palace v Brighton, Fulham v Nottingham Forest, Leicester v Tottenham, Southampton v Wolves, Bournemouth v Newcastle (7.30pm)
Tomorrow: Leeds v Manchester United (4pm), Manchester City v Aston Villa (6.30pm)
Monday: Liverpool v Everton (10pm)