Check out everything Mikel Arteta had to say about Nuno Tavares, if he regrets players leaving in January

It is safe to say that Nuno Tavares, just like the team and Arteta, did not have a great performance on Monday. However, it is those defeats that test the mentality and separate the best from the average.

Arteta talked about how to give the youngster confidence and why he decided to take him off. “Always I speak with the players and I spoke with Nuno because I care about how feel. We are here to help them and make their careers better.”

Regardless, he understood it wasn’t a decision that was great for the Tavares but one he understood.

Arteta on Tavares:

"Obviously I spoke with Nuno because I care a lot how they [players] feel. We're there to make their careers better. That was a decision that hurt him obviously, but he understands it was for the benefit of the team. He now needs to react on that situation."

— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) April 8, 2022

“That was a decision that hurt him, obviously, but he understands that it was for the benefit of the team and he respects that.” via Arsenal’s official website.

When asked how he intends on getting the best out of Tavares, he said:

“His confidence probably wasn’t the best because he wasn’t playing a lot of minutes as well and probably wasn’t at his best and he needs the rhythm, the competition and the understanding with his teammates.”

Quite evidently, there is a deep mutual respect and understanding between the players and Arteta. The mutual respect between players and coach goes a long way as defeats shape character in tough patches of form.

Arteta does not have regrets over letting players leave

The Gaffer was asked whether letting players leave in January was the right decision. He reaffirmed and asked back if he should justifying those decisions again and again.

“I don’t know if we have to justify it, we have to make a decision based on what we see every day, ” he said.

Arteta on if he regrets letting Auba and Balogun go:
I haven’t heard that question in the last six weeks. The timing when you ask those questions is always after a defeat so I don’t like to comment on that. https://t.co/7yeQTz0xoz

— Kaya Kaynak (@kayakaynak97) April 8, 2022

The former Everton man continued, “How the players can contribute in the role that they have at the club, or if they cannot do it or they don’t want to do it, we find solutions and that’s what we always try to do.”

Check out everything Arteta had to say about Arsenal’s game against Brighton and more

Arteta and Arsenal were faced with an unexpected setback with a humiliating defeat at Selhurst park. The Gunners looked done and out of the game from the kick off whistle.

When asked how the defeat impacted the squad, Arteta had a bit to say. “Embrace the challenge. You lost, now you want to win, it’s hurting and it’s still hurting. We lost two big players, two really important players for us for sure.” Via Arsenal.

While his tone suggested he blamed injuries, he accepted responsibility and to accept the result.

Arsenal have been dealt another injury blow, with Mikel Arteta confirming fans' fears over Thomas Parteyhttps://t.co/CzgiVcNpTI pic.twitter.com/xGJMO8i6s1

— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) April 8, 2022

“But whenever that happens you can’t cry for it because they are not going to be available for us. So we have to find other solutions and we have to be as good and as competitive as we have been.”

Arteta was also asked about what were his expectations for the match against Brighton. The Spaniard said the usual things one says before a game about his opponent.

Mikel Arteta went on to say that the issues we faced against Crystal Palace must be addressed against Brighton.

Bring on tomorrow!! 👊#AFC pic.twitter.com/BMSVaidiEo

— AK – 24/7 Arsenal News (@akarsenalnews) April 8, 2022

“They’re a team with a lot of personality, a coach that is very willing to play, that is very aggressive in the way they press, that wants to dominate the game and they have good players to do that but they are very difficult to beat.”

Besides just complimenting Brighton, he commented on their set piece intelligence and defense.

Arteta when asked about top four

The coach was also asked about if the belief of finishing top four is still there. His comments implicated he wants the squad to move on from the defeat and focus on the task ahead.

“[The setback] has happened and it’s happened with nine games to go and we have to react now.

We have to show tomorrow the energy, the commitment and the passion that we want to play the game tomorrow in front of our fans.”

Match Preview: Arsenal continue their top 4 campaign

Arsenal will be taking on Crystal Palace in their conquest for top 4 as they return after the international break. The Gunners will be travelling cross city to take on the Eagles in a crucial league fixture.

Two former Arsenal icons will be on the sidelines as coaches, Mikel Arteta and Patrick Vieira. Both managers have played in different Arsenal teams under Arsene Wenger and will hope to be putting on a show tonight.

Arsenal are on a great run of games lately, with their last win coming against Aston Villa. Patrick Vieira’s men also held Manchester City to a 0-0 draw before the international break arrived.

Saka scored the only goal of the game to seal 3 points for Arsenal

Vieira has completely transformed the outlook of Palace’s squad as they sit at 12th currently. Such is also the case for Arteta, who has transformed Arsenal into a strong top 4 contender whilst playing attractive, offensive football.

The Gunners have only lost once in their last 7 Premier League fixtures, with the only loss coming against Liverpool. In a game where the Gunners dominated, Liverpool struck twice at the right moments.

Venue: Selhurst Park

Time: 8:00 pm local time

Referee: Paul Tierney

Team News for Arsenal

Backup goalkeeper Bernd Leno will be taking Ramsdale’s place once again as the Englishman is still out injured. The keeper is supposed to stay on the sidelines for a while longer after getting injured against Liverpool in March.

On the other hand, Mikel Arteta was optimistic about Takehiro Tomiyasu returning to action. The Japanese international had been out of commission due to a calf injury.

Gabriel Martinelli will be hoping to return to the starting XI after missing out against Villa. He has recovered from his illness that kept him out before the international break.

Read up more in detail on the injury front here.

Predicted Starting XI

Arsenal: Leno; Cedric Soares, Ben White, Gabriel, Tierney; Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka; Bukayo Saka, Alexandre Lacazette, Gabriel Martinelli