What did Mikel Arteta say?
Describing the mood in camp, Arteta said: “The next stop is a final at Wembley. So we know how big that is and you can feel it. You can feel it straight away. The boost that the game gave us winning against City, the manner that we won it and the fact that it is a game that is the closest competition, so we are going to give it a real go.”
“Excited for sure. Willing, hungry, enthusiastic because we are very close to play a final and hopefully we can achieve it.”
“When you compare the emotional state of the team straight after the defeat [of the first leg] and the manner that it happened and how we are, today is very different because we come from very strong performances, some great wins and especially the last one at home against Manchester City. So, keep this momentum and after that game we’ll have a break so it’s the moment to go full gas, ready to go for it and try to approach it in a way that we believe is the best one to be in that final.”
Analysing their opposition, he said: “They are a very difficult team to play against. There have been different games. We beat them at home last year in a good way. Obviously this season has been different with two very different games. Another opportunity ahead of us, a big one that can take us to Wembley, so really looking forward to it.”
The other big news for Arsenal this week was that Monday’s trasnfer deadline passed without a single incoming. They are one of just three Premier League clubs not to add to their ranks in January. “We had a clear intention, which is always there is a window open to explore the opportunities to improve our squad with players that can impact it. We haven’t achieved it. So, yes, we are disappointed in that sense. But we are very aware that we only want to bring certain kind of players and we have to be very disciplined with that as well. And I think that we were.”
Striker was thought to be a key position to reinforce for Arteta’s side, but this didn’t come to pass. However, some worries might be allayed by the fact the Gunners put five past Manchester City this weekend. “There are two separate things. One, obviously, I think we can talk very openly from my side of the club perspective about the intention to improve the squad if have the capacity to do it. And most importantly to keep improving the team, to keep improving the individuals within the team. Because it’s the ones that we have and we love. And that’s it. And for now, there’s no discussion about it.”
There is no fresh team news for Wednesday night’s game, with Ben White still out after surgery on a knee injury but hopefully available again after the break. Bukayo Saka remains unavailable after a hamstring injury, and Arteta couldn’t say whether he would be ready to return next month.
You’ll be able to read a full match report of Newcastle v Arsenal here on FromTheSpot.co.uk after the full-time whistle.
Anne Butzelaar
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