Arteta to take it game-by-game in hunt for European finish
SHOWS: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (JULY 5, 2020) (ARSENAL VNR - ACCESS ALL)
1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARSENAL MANAGER, MIKEL ARTETA, ON FINISHING IN A CHAMPIONS LEAGUE OR EUROPA LEAGUE SPOT, SAYING:
"I think we have to win every game and then wait and pray. So, it's not about winning a game, I think we need to go game-by-game. You know a few weeks ago we were really far even thinking about Europe as well and we're a little bit closer at the moment. So, lets go game-by-game and see where we take us."
2. WHITE FLASH
3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARSENAL MANAGER, MIKEL ARTETA, ON PLAYING TOP SIDES IN THE COMING WEEKS, SAYING (AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING):
"Well now we are in a good run, we've got some momentum, now we get to the crucial point of the season where as well we're going to face the top teams in the next two weeks and we just try to get prepared as well as we can. We know how important these games are going to come for the future of the season, so we are very focused and are committed to try to do as well as we can."
4. WHITE FLASH
5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARSENAL MANAGER, MIKEL ARTETA, ON KEEPING MOMENTUM, SAYING:
"Just pushing the players every day and they're realising that that's the only way to try to compete with the top teams in this country. There's obviously a lot of things that we have to improve and we have a huge margin, but that has to be something non-negotiable that it has to be amassed in every game, in every training session and we can build from there."
6. WHITE FLASH
7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARSENAL MANAGER, MIKEL ARTETA, ON CONTRACT SITUATION WITH LACAZETTE, SAYING:
"Yeah we have to have a chat about the next step with him and get his idea, his feeling. As I said I am really happy with him. He's a player that I always liked. Even when I wasn't here because what he brings to the team, his qualities, his ability, his work rate. So, lets see and now we are in a crucial moment. It's no time to talk about a lot of contractual situations. We still have time and we will do it in the right moment."
8. WHITE FLASH
9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARSENAL MANAGER, MIKEL ARTETA, ON GUENDOUZI AND OZIL RETURNING AGAINST LEICESTER, SAYING:
JOURNALIST: "Do Ozil and Guendouzi stand a chance of playing this week?"
ARTETA: "It's still the situation as it was before"
10. WHITE FLASH
11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARSENAL MANAGER, MIKEL ARTETA, ON HIS THOUGHTS SHOULD MESSI EVER PLAY IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE ONE DAY, SAYING:
"Not a question for us, but obviously if he could come and join this country I think it would be a huge plus for the country, for the league and everybody to have the opportunity to enjoy him."
STORY: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is not getting too ahead of himself and is focused on taking the remaining five games of the Premier League season one at a time as his side continues their hunt to secure European football next season.
Seventh-placed Arsenal, three points off a Europa League spot and eight off a Champions League berth, have won four straight in all competitions including a 2-0 victory over sixth-placed Wolves on Saturday (July 4) and next host third-placed Leicester on Tuesday (July 7).
"I think we have to win every game and then wait and pray. So, it's not about winning a game, I think we need to go game-by-game.
"Well now we are in a good run, we've got some momentum, now we get to the crucial point of the season where as well we're going to face the top teams in the next two weeks and we just try to get prepared as well as we can.", added Arteta ahead of league games against Tottenham and champions Liverpool after Leicester.
Arteta also revealed that contract negotiations with striker Alexandre Lacazette were needed but would not be conducted during such an important part of the season, while confirming that Matteo Guendouzi and Mesut Ozil would not return to action on Tuesday.
Guendouzi was dropped following the 2-1 loss at Brighton as a matter of 'squad management', while Ozil has been struggling with a back issue.
