‘It causes a little bit of a tummy ache’ admits Mikel Arteta as Liverpool game gives Arsenal boss sleepless nights
MIKEL ARTETA is having sleepless nights and getting “tummy ache” over picking his ravaged Arsenal team to face Liverpool.
The Gunners boss must do without the suspended William Saliba and is also sweating on the fitness of Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber.
And with injured captain Martin Odegaard still missing, Arteta says he has no fears about fielding the kids as the Londoners aim to avoid falling seven points behind Arne Slot’s Prem leaders on Sunday.
Spaniard Arteta, 42, revealed: “Normally, I prefer to go to bed with the line-up in my head so I can sleep like a baby.
“But sometimes it cannot be as you have to wait for the next day.
“Sometimes two or three days before, you already have the idea, ‘Against this team this is what I am going to do’ — but when you have uncertainty with injuries it is tricky.
“The stress comes from two things. First, when you don’t have options, what do you do? And then you get in the shoes of the players.
“And every time you make a decision it is a positive one for somebody and not so positive for one.
“That’s what causes a little bit of tummy ache but that happens every week.
“The process of choosing the line-up and understanding how everyone will feel about it.
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“There is going to be a lot of possibilities, a lot of ifs.
“Probably the team that we start won’t be the team that finishes.
“How prepared we are to make the changes we need to?
“Get on with it. Show your teeth. Show how much you want it.
“We know how good we are and how difficult we can be for the opponents.
“You need the team prepared. When you lose your captain, that’s a big thing. When you lose your central defender, a full-back, another full-back, a striker, a winger. . .
“The team has to have the resources. First of all, mentally to adapt and then maintain the same belief that even like this we’re a great team.”
Star winger Saka, 23, faces a late fitness test on a hamstring injury picked up in England’s Nations League clash with Greece 16 days ago.
Defender Calafiori, 22, will have more tests on his knee today, while full-back Timber, 23, is still struggling with a muscle issue.
Normally, I prefer to go to bed with the line-up in my head so I can sleep like a baby.
Mikel Arteta
Myles Lewis-Skelly, who was a sub in Tuesday’s 1-0 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk, could get his first Prem start at left-back.
Asked whether he would be scared to start the 18-year-old in such a big game, Arteta said: “No. He is in contention.
“Myles came on the other night and he did really well. He is a first-team player.”
Arsenal ratings vs Shakhtar: Jesus reminds fans of his quality but Trossard flops for poor Gunners
ARSENAL continued their unbeaten run in the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk – but it was far from a convincing performance.
Gabriel Martinelli orchestrated the decisive goal when his low-driven strike hit the post and deflected in off the back of goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tony Robertson rated the Gunners…
DAVID RAYA – 7
Seldom asked to do much aside from recycle the ball to Gabriel or Saliba until the final stages
Pushed a potentially dangerous cross out of danger in the 84th minute. Pulled out a magnificent low save in injury time before claiming a dangerous cross to keep his clean sheet.
BEN WHITE – 6
Back in at right-back today and played as if he had never been out of the team.
Received a yellow card in the 34th minute. Subbed at half-time for Mikel Merino.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 7
In the team after his red card against Bournemouth, played like his typically assured self marshalling the defence.
One or two sloppy passes late in the second half but otherwise can have no complaints with another solid performance.
GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 5
Sloppily gave the ball away to hand the visitors a dangerous chance out of nothing. Had another lapse just after the opener but in the end he was bailed out by Calafiori.
Marked improvement in the second half.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6
Skied a golden chance over the bar after six minutes. Tested the goalkeeper again after 24 minutes.
Dragged his foot and went down injured after skipping under a tackle in the 67th minute. Replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly in 71st minute.
THOMAS PARTEY – 6
Comfortable evening in midfield for him. Recycled the ball well when at his feet and kept play ticking over.
Moved to right back as White was hooked but didn’t have too many worries. When he was caught out of position Rice was able to cover.
DECLAN RICE – 6
Like Partey, he had a quiet night in midfield with Shakhtar unable to retain meaningful possession.
Moved into the six as White was hooked and Partey moved to right-back. Cut out a dangerous low cross at the edge of the area.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4
Nothing quite went right for him all night with some sloppy touches ending attacks and putting Arsenal in trouble.
Summed up his night by missing a 77th minute penalty and was hooked in the 88th minute.
GABRIEL JESUS – 8
Wore the captain’s armband and looked bright down the right wing.
Denied a well-deserved goal by the feet of the keeper in the 43rd minute after Havertz played him in.
Second half saw more good link play, but never had another chance to end his goal drought as he was replaced by Sterling in the 68th minute.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7
Grew into the game following a quiet start and was rewarded with a goal, of sorts, after 30 minutes.
Brazilian cut inside from the left wing before firing a shot to the near post before the shot rebounded off the woodwork and hit the goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk to go in the net.
KAI HAVERTZ – 7
Centimeters away from getting Arsenal’s second in the 39th minute after Jesus squared a volley back across goal.
Returned the favour to set up his team-mate moments later only for the goalkeeper to prevent a goal.
Won a free-kick at the very end of the game to run the clock down.
SUBS
Mikel Merino (on for White HT) – 6
Some nice touches and stitched play together well. A solid yet unspectacular performance.
Raheem Sterling (on for Jesus 68 mins) – 6
Tried to play on the shoulder of the last man but did not have the pace find the clear cut chance he would have liked.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (on for Calafiori 71 mins) – 6
Slotted in at left-back and was not afraid to show for the ball but often did not receive it while tucking infield.
Jorginho (on for Trossard 88 mins) – N/A