Arteta offers fitness update on Partey; urges Arsenal stars to ‘do the right things’ after Man City loss
Mikel Arteta has encouraged his Arsenal players to carry on “doing the right things” after their 3-1 loss at the hands of Man City in midweek.
Arsenal are going through a tough patch at the moment as they are three games without a win in the Premier League.
They only managed to pick up one point against Everton and Brentford before they were beaten by Man City at the Emirates.
Late goals from Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland settled the game in City’s favour. This win moves Pep Guardiola’s back to the top of the table on goal difference but Arsenal still have a game in hand.
Arsenal and Man City both have away games this weekend against Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest respectively.
Arteta has insisted that there were “a lot of positives to take” from his side’s loss against Man City.
“I know the right things we have to do to continue to be there [at the top],” Arteta told reporters.
“We have seen where the level is and what we have to do to be at that level.
“There are a lot of positive things to take, for sure, from the season so far [and Wednesday night’s defeat at home to Manchester City].
“We know that the level of efficiency has to be good with every single game to beat them [City] at the end.
“We are highly motivated to do that.”
When asked what the minimum expectation is for Arsenal this season, Arteta added: “The minimum is today that they need to train exceptionally well – that is the minimum.”
On his side’s loss to Manchester City: “You have to give credit to a team when they beat you, but when you analyse the game again, I think we lost it.”
Arteta also admitted that Arsenal need to “look at themselves” as they attempt to end their winless run.
“It is normal that you want to get maximum points, which we didn’t in the last few games,” Arteta added.
“We have to look at ourselves. We have to be more efficient – with amount of play and situations we generated we haven’t had enough points. That is down to us, we have to improve on that because we want to win more games.
“So we are highly motivated for tomorrow’s game because we want to perform well and win the game.”
Thomas Partey missed the Man City game and Arteta has confirmed that he is being “assessed” ahead of this weekend’s trip to Villa.
“[Partey] had some discomfort in a little muscle. We have to assess him this morning to see how he is.”
On Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Jesus: “Emile will be training today so if he is fine, he will be in the squad. Gaby [Jesus] is still not there.”
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