Mikel Arteta vows to CONTINUE controversial Arsenal move annoying Premier League rivals
Mikel Arteta has taken to throwing curveballs when it comes to his injury updates, but the Arsenal boss has insisted he will continue to muddy the waters for his Premier League rivals
by Jacob Leeks · The MirrorMikel Arteta has defended his tendancy to keep his cards close to his chest when it comes to injury news.
Arteta has taken to throwing curveballs when it comes to the fitness of his players. He has historically been guarded when it comes to giving updates on players who have been in the treatment room.
That was the case last week during the build-up to Arsenal's clash with Liverpool. Star winger Bukayo Saka had missed the Gunners previous two games after picking up a hamstring injury while on England duty.
He was not seen during Arsenal's final training session before the visit of the Reds. But he ended up starting and opened the scoring for the Gunners, before giving rival left-back Andy Robertson a tough day out on the wing.
Liverpool were caught out by Saka's appearance in the starting line-up. But Arteta has refused to apologise for keeping his rivals guessing over the status of his squad.
“For me, I will tell you everything but that has consequences. I need to be very careful because sometimes I can tell you a player is going to be a few weeks but is a few months," e said.
“Sometimes I don’t know if a player is going to be fit in two days’ time or when the press conference is. When I know, I am not going to lie to you. I am not going to say: ‘He’s not fit’ - and then I play him, I would never do that.
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“But if I am certain or I don’t want to tell you, I will keep you guessing. This is my job. But as well to keep all these guys, everyone alert as well, that is important. I don’t want to make it easy for anybody.
"The opponent has to work and think and prepare and make sure they do their homework like I have to. I wish I knew their starting XI, who is on the bench, but I don’t. It is our job to guess and do the work we have to do.”
According to the Daily Mail, Arteta has been attempting to throw a 'cloak of secrecy' over his team heading into matchdays. The Spaniard's desire to be economical with injuries stems from a dedication to marginal gains.
While he is not attempting to mislead anyone, it said that coaching staff at other Premier League sides have opted to ignore his weekly press conferences having grown accustomed to his methods.
Arsenal travel to Preston North End on Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup before again going on the road to Newcastle on Saturday. It is likely Arteta will continue to muddy the waters around the fitness of some of his star players heading into the trip to the Magpies.
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