EPL: Arteta says Arsenal must work as a team to contain Chelsea

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal cannot leave the task of containing Chelsea’s attack to its defenders alone. Speaking before Sunday’s London derby at the Emirates Stadium, the Arsenal manager described the challenge as a responsibility for the entire team.

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Banking will be the responsibility, obviously a team responsibility, more than a defensive one.

Arteta also provided a series of fitness updates. Bruno is being assessed after suffering a knock against Aston Villa, while Cristhian Mosquera was withdrawn as a precaution and will be checked after training. Ezri Konsa is available for selection, and Jurrien Timber has made progress after spending several weeks training on the pitch.

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It was more precaution than anything else, so we’ll have to see in the session tomorrow how he feels.

William Saliba remains less certain. Arteta said the club does not know how many weeks the defender will miss because his recovery depends on the healing process. He said Saliba’s progress had been positive, but Arsenal would need to see how he responds once training loads increase. Saliba has nevertheless been included in Arsenal’s Champions League squad.

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We don’t really know the number of weeks he’s going to be out because it’s about a healing process and everything is a bit different.

With the transfer window closed, Arteta said Arsenal should concentrate on the players already available rather than revisit deals that did not happen, including the failure to sign another winger. He said the club had completed its transfer business according to its intentions, even though the final outcome can differ from expectations.

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The window is closed and I prefer to look at all the incredible things that we have in this squad and not to spend any more time on the things that are not part of us right now.