Arteta: Are Arsenal leading the set-piece trend? A lot of teams do take a page from us

Hupu News on October 29th: Arsenal coach Arteta attended the pre-match press conference against Brighton in the League Cup.

I know everyone is concerned about team dynamics, so let’s talk about them one by one. What's the latest on Saliba?

He will be absent. How long will

be absent?

Not sure yet, we are evaluating the injury, but he will not participate in this game.

Okay, where's Rice?

He can play.

Calafioli?

Yes, he can play too.

It was worrying when Martinelli was replaced. What is his current situation?

Yes, it looks like he will be absent as well. We need further tests to determine the extent of the injury, but the circumstances of this game will be different.

I know that Saka played sick and was replaced later. Is he okay?

Yes, he will recover.

Talk about Brighton, what do you think of their performance this season? There is also that old acquaintance who is in hot form - Welbeck, who you know very well, he always seems to like to counterattack against his old team. Do you need to focus on limiting him?

Hopefully not tomorrow. I'm actually very happy for him. We have played together and witnessed the ups and downs of his career. It's amazing that he keeps performing like this. The team and Coach Fabian are doing an incredible job as well and their continued building of this club is incredible. Fabian has injected new elements. This team's tactics are rigorous and extremely difficult to deal with, as evidenced by their record against strong teams. It is foreseeable that this will be a fierce battle.

Considering the current schedule density, this is the moment to test the depth of the lineup. Will there be a big rotation tomorrow? While you won't reveal the roster, are you more comfortable with your current staffing than in previous years?

The word "calm" does not hold true in the football world. We will try our best to manage the playing time and load of the players. As you said, the short and intensive schedule is indeed extraordinary. But the team will remain highly competitive.

The odds agency ranks you as the number one favorite to win the Premier League. Neville also said that the championship is "actively fought for rather than passively guarded." Have you noticed these opinions? Should you accept it calmly or ignore it?

This is exactly what we are pursuing. When fans are excited about it and when the team continues to show competitiveness, this expectation is natural. If you want to win important trophies, you must let this belief permeate the whole team. We are in a good position, but we also know that it is early in the season and every game will be challenging.

The set-piece tactics have made great achievements in recent times, and Sunday's winning goal also originated from this. Although some commentators and rival fans are dismissive of it, "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." Do you feel like you're setting a trend in tactics?

I don’t know if we can be considered a leader, but many of our innovations will indeed be learned by other teams. Just like we will also study the tactics of Europe's top teams, draw inspiration and integrate them into our own system. As long as it helps win the game, this kind of exchange is welcome - this is the law of human progress.

You have been working hard to improve the home atmosphere and connect with fans. Do you feel the results? Want to go further?

We always crave more. I said after the game that I really enjoyed the atmosphere against Crystal Palace, and it was not easy to recreate that atmosphere after the fierce battle against Atletico Madrid in midweek. But the more enthusiastic the stadium is, the stronger the team's performance will be and the harder it will be for opponents to resist.

The lineup has become thicker after signings this summer, but due to the impact of injuries, Dzhekeresh's substitute may be a weak link. Is it difficult to rotate due to too many appearances and needs to be rested?

The forward line is indeed stretched, with Madueke, Havertz, Jesus and Martinelli injured one after another. This location requires us to be extra cautious as options are limited. As stated, we will distribute the load scientifically to ensure that the players remain in top condition.

With four fronts fighting this season and many fronts being favored, how important is the League Cup in your heart?

The most important thing at the moment is always the next game. We have not seen this championship for many years, and tomorrow is the starting point. We must perform well to defeat the powerful Brighton. We are ready and waiting to see the real results on the field.

Regarding Ben White, he was plagued by injuries at the beginning of this season. Is it a sequelae of knee surgery last season? What is the specific problem?

He did encounter repetitions, which affected his state. But he was the best player in the preseason, playing full attendance and performing well. When Ben is at his level, he is a top player who drives the whole team and creates a unique threat on the right wing, and we desperately need him at his best.

It is well known that he is eager to return to the England team. Do you think he has a chance to impress Tuchel ahead of the World Cup? Are you willing to give him a chance to show his strength?

There are still several months until the World Cup, and the football world is changing rapidly. If Ben has this ambition and Tuchel thinks he is the right person, I would be happy to see it happen. He will definitely get plenty of playing time here, and his past performance has laid the best foundation for him to fight for opportunities.

Arsenal received 109 shots (34 shots on target) in the first 5 league games you coached, and only 33 shots (7 shots on target) in the last 5 games. Is this a key aspect that you urgently wanted to change when you took office?

Exactly. We have discussed the close relationship between clean sheets and winning championships. This is the foundation built over the past three years and must be sustained. Tomorrow this ability will be tested again.

Some people disagree with set-piece tactics. I would like to quote a sentence: "When Arsenal makes a difference, everyone will always judge." Do you agree with this view?

(Laughs) This may be the fate of wealthy families. For better or worse, we always draw attention. But it means people care about us. If you know the history of the club you will understand that this is normal and hopefully we will always spark discussions about good things.

We saw Incapie make a brief appearance over the weekend and fans are looking forward to more. How do you see his positioning as an all-rounder? Central defender or fullback?

Both can be used. He is a fighter who injects intensity, confrontation and passion into the team. Technically he is eager and capable of playing in the center or on the wing. Now we need to help him get back to the rhythm of the game. When his body reaches its optimal level, he will definitely improve the team's level.

Nwaneri, another young player who may appear, was mostly on the right wing last season due to injuries, but this season he appears more in the center. Is this your arrangement or player choice? For what development considerations?

This is due to many factors. Saka's injury and lack of substitutes created opportunities for him to play. Now that he is more calm and mature, we believe that he is the most threatening and more comfortable in the middle, and can integrate better with the team. But this does not mean that he cannot play on the wing, but he needs to focus on the development of one position at this stage.

If Kepa plays tomorrow (I guess you won't reveal it), this will only be his second game. How do you explain to the goalkeepers the mechanics of competition this season? Is David Raya the clear cut?

I never preset the main force, players need to earn their way through performance. Raya has performed well in recent years and Kepa knew this when he joined. But he's ready to compete — and when it comes to recognizing locker room role models, he's the first. After experiencing the glory of Chelsea, Real Madrid and other giants, he still regards every training here as the most important moment in his life. He will get a chance and will definitely perform well if he plays tomorrow.

Do you think David's peak form was partly due to the competition Kepa brought?

The environment created by the goalkeeper and the coaching staff is unique, and this position requires special qualities. They often had to do a lot of training alone, but Kepa played a huge role in raising the standard and creating a stage for everyone to shine.

You mentioned the possibility of goalkeeper rotation two years ago. Is this a consideration in bringing in Kepa?

To be honest, there have been many injuries recently, and substitutions are often caused by players being unable to persist. But maybe someday someone will do it.

Would you do this?

If it feels right, I will.

Regarding Ben White, he was the absolute main player when he first came, but now he often sits on the bench due to injuries. What exactly do you mean by "repeatedly"?

The injury caused him to miss several weeks. We must control his load. He lacked the rhythm of the game and therefore did not play. Now he is in good condition, feels good in training and will get playing time.

Last year he fought with a knee injury and had surgery afterwards. Looking back, do you think the surgery should have been done earlier?

This is more a judgment of the medical team. We always put player protection first and will not risk the player's future. But Ben... he's willing to give everything to the game.