Mikel Arteta's pre-Crystal Palace press conference

Mikel Arteta was back in front of the media at Sobha Realty Training Centre for his pre-Crystal Palace press conference on Tuesday.

Our manager was asked to provide the latest team news, share his thoughts on former players going into management like Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey, and more on Wednesday's game against the Eagles.

Here's what he had to say on the following subjects.

on Bukayo Saka’s fitness:

We have to wait and see how he reacts after the session, but it’s nothing too serious.

on whether he can play on Wednesday:

If we want to, I think he would have a good chance to play tomorrow.

on Calafiori and Jorginho’s fitness:

Yes Ricci is out, and Jorginho as well. For Jorginho I think unfortunately it will be a few weeks.

on whether he would rather have six days off after the game or not:

Well, it's what we have. Let's take the opportunity, first of all, earn the right to win the game tomorrow against a really good side that have a really good record away from home as well. After that we'll have time to prepare the game really well.

on whether that gap will play a part in the team selection:

Yeah, we have more days. The amount of options that we have is not that many, especially because of where some of the players are coming and the amount of minutes that they can play. But it's good to have a little gap because we are really short in numbers.

on experimenting without Thomas Partey:

Yeah, well, the reason for it was because Thomas wasn't available to start the game. At the end we decided not even to play him because he wasn't feeling particularly well. So we have some options. We have the opportunity to experiment, but we have all this as well.

on whether there is any update on Partey’s contract:

On Thomas? You can waste many more minutes with Andrea if you want.

on Liverpool getting ready to celebrate:

Our incentive is to win our game and do our best to continue with the round that we are in right now. The rest we cannot control.

on whether he likes winding up the opposition:

If another team suffers? Yeah. It depends how you make them suffer.

on Tottenham having to give a guard of honour:

I think you're going too far. I'm too focused on the match I think.

on Odegaard’s stats at the weekend:

Yeah, he was great. I think he was really good in the match. I think he affected the game in the way that we want. When you look at the numbers he provided, he was exceptional. So that's a level that we need Martin.

on Jack Wilshere becoming interim coach at Norwich:

Yeah, we're wishing him the best. Obviously, he's decided to accept the role with the games that are left. The same with Aaron as well. It's very good to see some ex-teammates taking important roles in management. So we're wishing the best to both of them.

on whether Gabriel Martinelli’s contribution has been overlooked:

Certainly not by us. But when you look at the consistency shown over the last few years, the amount of goals he scored at his age and the contribution to a big club like Arsenal, it's not easy at all. So I think he's on the right path. He's a fantastic player to work with. His work ethic, his understanding, his desire to play every minute of every competition. That's the kind of characters and leaders that we want in the team. And I'm very, very happy with him.

on Oliver Glasner’s job so far:

Unbelievable job, I think. What it's taken the team and the club to be in the position they are in right now, I think they fully deserve it. I think it's given the team a very clear identity. I think it's maximised the squad and the ability of that squad. And they are a really tough opponent. They are really well coached. I think he's got a very clear mentality, how he wants to approach games. And they are very competitive to reach their position there on the table and where they are in the FA Cup. Certainly, it's not a coincidence. And I think they deserve it.

on our 5-1 win over Palace in December:

I mean, to get a result like this in the Premier League, you have to do a lot of things right. We have to try to replicate those. But again, as I said, it's a really difficult opponent. When you look at the games and what they've done away from home, especially as well against certain opposition, impressive. So tomorrow we're going to have to be really good.

on the temptation to rest everyone ahead of PSG:

We cannot think in those terms. I think when the players are fit and they are available and they want to play, they have to play. And they are at their best when they are playing and they have consistency in their performances. And physically they are good, emotionally they are good, their understanding and their rhythm and the way they make decisions is at their best. And that's why we need the players. If they are not available, there's no discussion. And if they are not in good condition to perform, we're not going to play them. And if they are, we are going to play them.

on not forgiving himself if any player gets injured on Wednesday:

There's always a balance. And obviously you want to balance the risk and make sure that you are sensible with your decision making. But that's what we have as well. Our very top staff to guide us and to tell us what we should be doing and what the risks are when we do that. But unfortunately in football, you know, anything can happen. And the game starts when the game finishes, to write the story of what should have happened, you know, and that's easy. So do it before.

on whether players still want to go into management:

Well, I hope so. That means that they retain that passion for the game and they want to be in different roles. Either he has to be in management, he can be in any other role, but that means that it's something ignited within them and the game, and it's great. I've been so happy to see those two doing that and I hope that it goes really, really well for them.

on whether Jorginho will be back before the end of the season:

I hope so, but I'm not certain. So we have to see how he evolves in the next few days, I would say a few weeks. So the doctor was quite cautious still about talking about any dates. So let's see. The good news is that he's improving, he's feeling much better. It was quite a scary situation and he's in a good place now.

on Calafiori’s injury problems:

Well, three of the injuries, obviously there are impact injuries. One is a really bad twist. It could have been worse, to be fair. And he's managing the player as well. So now we learn many more things about the player and how we can be much more on top of certain situations to try to prevent them. But it's true that the two main ones, they've been really unlucky and very little that we could have done differently.

on whether he’s surprised with Aaron Ramsey’s progress to becoming a manager:

Well, yes, because I don't have the close contact like I have with Jack. And I was very clear with Jack’s intentions. But with Aaron, no. And it doesn't surprise me because obviously with his experience, where he's been and what he's done in the game, if he wants to, he's able to do it. We all have different characters. And he's decided to do it. Very brave decision.

on whether they are disciples of Arsène Wenger:

Well, hopefully. I think Arsène should be very proud that he had three players under him that I think he inspired and he helped us to ignite again this love for the game that we want to continue what he did in the past.

on scoring from short corners:

Yes. I mean, when the team adapts to do something, the weaknesses will be somewhere else. And that's our job, to try to analyse that and exploit it as good as we can.

on whether left back will be Myles Lewis-Skelly’s position for the rest of his career:

I wouldn't go that far. I think for now, and what he's providing to the team and the needs that we have and the role that we have as a full-back, probably yes. But he stepped in midfield the other day and he looked very, very comfortable. He's played his whole career and he's good. Another player that can play different positions at the highest level. So, very good news.

on whether he could play in central midfield to replace Thomas Partey:

Yeah, he can play as an eight, he can play as a six. He's played there before many times and he has the qualities to do that.

on Bukayo Saka getting up to speed so quickly after injury:

That's what you are hoping for. And the way he's prepared, he was giving good signs that he could impact the game like he normally does. But obviously, to be playing at that level after missing three and a half months is not easy at all. So, credit to him and all the staff that were with him.

on if he’d like Bukayo to sign a new deal in the summer:

Yeah, when the time comes we will have those conversations and I'm sure the club is very on top of it. I think Bukayo has been very clear what his intentions are as well. So, I think everything is in the right place.

A selection of tickets remain available via the Ticket Exchange. Find out more below.

Click here to read article