Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has offered some motivational words to his struggling squad in preparing for the North London Derby match against Tottenham Sunday.
Nonetheless, Arteta claims that the gunners will go to the match without Rice, Merino, and others with ‘unbelievable energy’ and with the aim of beating their rivals.
Arsenal will also be without Martin Odegaard, their captain, who has an ankle problem that he picked while on duty with the Norwegian national team.
As revealed by the Independent, Arteta admitted that this period will not be easy, but at the same time, he emphasised that winning such crucial games can help to establish the mood for the rest of the campaign.
However, the Gunners will play the game in their unfamiliar black kit, as revealed earlier by Sportsbuddy.
Arsenal won’t wear their famous red shirt in North London Derby and this is why
Key Absences Test Arsenal’s Depth
The Gunners are in a crucial week, starting with the match against Spurs, then the Champions League match against Atalanta, and then against Manchester City.
Since Rice was banned from the match due to a red card, while Merino would be out due to a fractured shoulder, Arteta will have a weakened team for these matches.
He conceded that ‘We’ve been extremely unlucky in the past fortnight, but that’s when you have to show character’. ‘We have certain limitations,’ he said carefully, ‘but we will approach each game with enthusiasm and belief.’
Mikel Arteta’s Emotional Commitment to Arsenal
Arsenal has been experiencing a morale boost after Arteta decided to renew his contract with the club to June 2027. When asked if he can be in a position to join another club different from Arsenal, he said, “No, this is the loyalty feeling I have.”
Ever since Arteta joined the teams in 2019, Arsenal have dramatically transformed, and the Spaniard continues to keep the team spirited through challenges.
