MLS England call-up, British core, Saka update – Every word of Mikel Arteta's pre-Chelsea press conference
Yesterday at 09:40 AM
Myles Lewis-Skelly was the focus of much of Mikel Arteta's pre-Chelsea press conference following this morning's news that the full-back had earned a call-up to Thomas Tuchel's first England squad.
The boss was asked about the youngster's rapid rise through the ranks, his paternal feelings towards the team's teenagers, and the importance of having a British core. There were also questions on Sunday's opponents, Chelsea, and an update on Bukayo Saka's fitness.
Here's what he had to say…
On MLS earning selection by England…
Very proud. Very proud of him, it’s a huge moment for him and for the club as well – again, one of our graduates getting the call for England, it’s a massive thing, so very happy.
On whether he's talked to Tuchel about MLS being fast-trackerd and whether England offers the right environment…
No, but I’m sure that that will be the case. Thomas is a top coach. I know a few people around him and the set-up in England and I have no doubt that they will do the right thing with him.
On whether there will be any issues for MLS when it comes to settling in…
I don’t think so, no.
On Ben White being open to an England return…
Yeah, I heard that there have been some positive conversations around it, so I imagine it will be about timing more than anything else, especially with the amount of time that he’s been out with injury.
On taking pride in the development of Ethan Nwaneri, another who is tipped for a future with England…
Yeah, I think we all do, because obviously we are involved in their development and we know that it’s one of the biggest dreams that you can achieve as a football player and a really proud moment, so being part of that obviously is a great thing to be.
On the importance of Arsenal having an English core…
Very important, culturally. Because of our history and we’re an English club, to have that DNA that represents us as a club and then having a lot of academy players as well, I think it’s something very, very positive, so very proud of it.
On Saka's injury recovery…
He’s getting closer, he’s stepping up and making very good progress I would say. So let’s see when we start to throw him in with the team, how he reacts and how fit he can get quickly.
On Opta making Arsenal third favourites to win the Champions League…
Well, it's a fascinating draw [against Real Madrid]. I think we're going to play against a club with the biggest history in the competition and we're very excited to play against them, but before that we have three big matches in the Premier League.
On Opta giving Arsenal just a 0.5% chance of winning the title…
Into the next one [question].
On beating Chelsea 5-0 last year…
I think it’s going to be a very different game and I think the way they develop as a team is very impressive. What Enzo [Maresca] has done and the coaching staff, the amount of talent that they have in the squad, it's a really tough match. I think we’re at our best as well, a big chance for us to win the game.
On it being a shame that Sterling can't play on Sunday against his parent club given Tuesday's performance…
I think so, but it’s what it is. We knew about it, he played, he played well, he was contributing to the attacking goals that we scored as well. So, very good. That’s what we need – players in good form, in good spirit, good confidence and certainly that performance is going to help him.
On how he’s coped mentally this season…
Yeah, day by day. Try to surround yourself with the right people, that have the right expertise and can advise you to make the right decisions. And after that, unpredictability is a big factor in this industry, and you have to adapt to it. You can have an understanding or a way of doing things and from there, for sure, things will happen and you’re going to have to adapt. But go into the next day.
On what Ben White can add in the final weeks…
Very much, and he’s been now involved for the last two weeks almost, and he’s not reacting, so that’s very positive. We know Ben is a really important player for us, he brings something very different to the team dynamic, and I’m thrilled to have him.
On what he’s expecting from Chelsea this season…
Well, let’s see, I think it's two teams that want to be very dominant in the way of playing, very aggressive on the high press, and the way we have to have the ball. A lot of individual quality on that pitch, so it’s about imposing what you want and the direction that you want to take the game, and keep them very far from their strengths. I think that’s going to be a key thing as well.
On his memories of Arsenal’s previous British core and the importance of homegrown players…
I think that’s great, I think it attaches people to the football club and makes them proud. I think everybody wants to see academy players, English players driving and being the face of this football club, I think it's really important. It has to happen organically, you cannot force it, especially with those two [Ethan and Myles]. Now it’s really good news because they deserve to be where they are, they are doing great and there’s a bright future ahead of them.
On whether there are more young players waiting in the wings…
Hopefully, there are many more, but again, it’s something that time will tell- fast-tracking players, if they are good enough there is no problem to that, but at the same time they really have to earn it to play at this level.
On the importance of treating Ethan and Myles as separate players despite their similar pathways…
Yeah, any comparison there I don’t think is right. They have a very similar pathway because obviously they played so many years together, but after that they’re going to have different moments and each career will be unique and individual for them and they’re going to have to earn it, and what one does is not going to reflect or affect the other one in a positive or negative way, so that needs to be totally independent. It’s great, it’s a luxury to have someone that you spend so much time, trust and love next to you on that journey, use it in that way, that’s it, and the rest, throw it away.
On whether Merino will continue to stay up front now that Martinelli has returned…
With Gabi [back], now we have more options, but it’s true that we have to really manage the load and he’s been a little bit ahead of schedule and that’s why we didn’t want to take and we don’t want to take any more risks with him loading in with more minutes.
On feeling parental towards Ethan and Myles…
Well, they are almost the age of my oldest son, so yeah, just for that factor, I can see a lot of similarities, but both of them have great families, their environment, and they are in charge of that part of education. Obviously we have a big responsibility in a lot of things that are related to that as well, but they are in good hands, we are here just to support and guide in many other aspects, and if they need something, they know they can knock on the door and have that conversation.
On whether he’s chatted to Myles about the call-up…
Yeah, I have. We all have, and we were all really, really happy because it’s a really nice story, and a story that gives a lot of hope to a lot of young players, and shows that in six or seven months, your career can change dramatically and drastically for the good. So it’s something for people to be inspired by. I think it hasn’t happened because he was lucky. I think he pushed for every chance to happen, and the way he’s done it. So, yeah, good example.
On what he thinks of MLS' call-up…
I’m very happy and proud of him because for any player to represent their country, especially such a young player, it’s an incredible thing. And we’ve congratulated him, and we hope he enjoys it, that he has fun, that his feet are on the ground, and that he competes tomorrow.
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