Mikel Arteta Reveals Plan Over The International Break To Return To Optimal Level

By The Editor
on 11th November 2024

Arteta is ready to get to work…

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has stated work will continue during the international break to make sure the squad is in the best physical condition when club football resumes.

Arteta has overseen a disastrous run after the last international break with a run of four Premier League games without a win leaving us trailing league leaders Liverpool by nine points.

Those results have been shrouded by a number of mitigating circumstances though that will no longer suffice if we have hope of lifting the title in May.

The Spaniard made it clear following the 1-1 draw at Chelsea that the focus is now to patch up the players on the treatment table and those playing through niggles.

England duo Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice have pulled out of Lee Carsley’s squad ahead of the latest round of Nations League games while Martin Odegaard wasn’t named in Norway’s initial squad.

“We have to look at the positives and the things that we have to improve,” Arteta told Arsenal Media.

“Certainly, what we have to improve is the ability in the team and the condition of the players physically to perform and help the team.

“So far in eight weeks, it has been an absolute nightmare with problem after problem. That’s the only thing I’m hoping. We’re going to have to earn it and we will, and we need at least that baseline to be consistent.

“The priority is a lot of players that are not fit to be fit, a lot of players that are not playing with a lot of issues, [to get them] ready to play in full condition, and then to bring the energy we always bring,” the boss added.

While we’re hoping for a mini-miracle to see all our international stars return unscathed, Arteta can look forward to attacking a more favourable schedule in the league.

Facing six of last season’s top seven in the first eleven games is rather unusual, with five of those matches coming away from home.

On paper, we don’t face a daunting away trip in the league until our visit to Anfield in the penultimate game of the season – the opportunity to put together a string of results is there.