Arsenal beat Lyon 2-0 in the Emirates Cup on Saturday night, and manager Mikel Arteta gave a full review of his side's performance in his post-match press conference, answering a number of questions about player form, squad depth and tactical arrangements.
Arteta began by recognizing the team's overall performance in pre-season, saying that the test was a great success and that both the team and the club had put in a great effort. In particular, he mentioned that the team showed competitiveness in the game, especially in the first half when they played at the highest level and maintained that form. Although the performance dipped slightly in the second half, Arteta was still satisfied with the result.
Regarding the warm welcome Carafiore received after he took the field, Arteta said it was a reflection of the fans' love for the player and the club's attractiveness. He believes that such an atmosphere can attract more outstanding players to join the club.
Set-pieces have been one of the highlights of the game for Arsenal and Arteta appreciated it. He believes that set-pieces provide the team with a new means of attack and an extra threat to the opponents. He emphasized that the team has been continuously improving its set-piece tactics and looks forward to continuing this advantage in future matches.
Speaking about the injuries of Timberlake and Kenyo Tomiyasu, Arteta revealed the status of their recovery. Timberlake is expected to be able to practice with the team next week, while Kenyo Tomiyasu will take a few weeks to recover. Alteta expressed his satisfaction with the partnership between Rice and Thomas Partey, saying that they are playing at the level of top players and bringing more options and threats to the team.
Regarding Nketiah's future, Arteta said that all the players who remain in the team have a high probability of staying, but no final decision has been made yet. He also emphasized that the team will evaluate the depth of the frontcourt lineup and make the necessary adjustments.
Havertz's versatility is also recognized by Arteta. He believes Havertz has the ability to play in both midfield and forward positions, depending on the needs of the game and the team's arrangement. Arteta also revealed that Havertz is very willing to try different positions and enjoys the challenges that come with such changes.
On the management of players' playing time, Arteta said that all players need to work hard to get more playing time. He will make the right decision based on the game situation and the players' status. Regarding the impact that Carafiore has brought to the team, Arteta believes that he has brought diversity and strength enhancement, and is a player who can improve the level of the team.
Finally, Arteta also spoke about his team's opening performance in the game. He felt that his team set a positive tone for the game by pressing in the opening half and hoped that the players would keep it up until the end of the game. On the issue of the penalty shootout being canceled, he simply stated, "We didn't end up playing a penalty shootout, that's it."
