Momentum is on Arsenal‘s side. Four wins in a row, an emphatic 6-0 away victory over West Ham, and genuine title aspirations have fans feeling optimistic. Yet, as they prepare for a potentially tricky trip to relegation-threatened Burnley, Mikel Arteta preaches caution and focus.
“It’s the most important part of the season and we know that every fixture is going to play a significant role in what we want to achieve,” Arteta told his pre-match press conference. “Burnley is the most important one at the moment, a team that is extremely difficult to beat. You look at the results and how teams have drawn or beaten them and it’s been through very small margins.”
Arteta stresses the importance of fully resetting after the West Ham win: “[Even] Faster than [after] a defeat! The defeat in the tummy is good for 48 hours…When you win and the way we did it, take the positive energy and carry on but that has to drive to an even better energy and will to keep improving because there are still things that we can do much better.”
Facing Vincent Kompany adds another dimension to the Burnley match, even though the Burnley man will be missing from the sidelines this weekend after picking up a ban for collecting a third yellow of the season. Arteta offers respect for his ex-colleague’s impact:
“I have huge respect for him, we had a really good relationship when we worked together…I have a huge admiration for him… he’s very well articulated, has great ideas, a very clear vision of how he wants to play the game and on top of that he’s got the courage that I love…his work ethic is phenomenal.”
Arteta also took time out to expresses satisfaction with the impact Kai Havertz and David Raya have on his Arsenal squad.
On Havertz’s versatility, he’s emphatic: “I love him. I love him… I think we all love him as a player, as a person, everything that he brings to the team…And you ask him to play as a nine, as a right attacking midfielder, left attacking midfielder, on the base defending, and he does it. It’s just a joy to work with.”
Arteta’s praise for Raya focuses on his proactive style: “Especially what I like about David is what he does in goal and the things that he prevents that sometimes you don’t even see because they don’t happen because he has anticipated them.”
The manager also admires Raya’s inner drive, stating, “what I love about him, he’s a player with the courage and the character and personality… that they want to be themselves…and he has earned the right to be very respected…”