Can you give some more detail on what's happened with Sead Kolasinac?
I don’t know, the doctors are assessing him still - he had a normal session yesterday.
He has been in some discomfort, we know this season that he had some little niggles, so
we have to assess him and see if we can get him fit for Saturday or he will be out.
Any update on Lucas Torreira?
Very similar situation. He trained yesterday as well, but still not 100 per cent confident
so we will have to wait and see again.
What is the nature of his injury?
It is something related to his hip, producing some pain in the muscle. I don’t know. He
is a tough boy, he wants too train, he wants to play and hopefully he will be available
for the weekend.
Any update on Hector Bellerin?
He has been training with us for the past few days, he is looking much sharper, much
better. He needs a little chunk of training sessions before he is ready to compete but
he is looking much better. I''m happy with him.
Anything you want to update us on with transfer news?
I have bad news for you guys, I have nothing to say yet!
Any truth in John Stones rumours?
No, no truth at all.
AC Milan’s Franck Kessie?
No truth at all at the moment.
Are you short defensively?
We have a lot of issues at the back, the fact that Calum got the big injury is modifying
our plans. It is what we have, the situation, it can happen between December and January,
it is very common. We have to live with it, this is what we have. We have to put 11 players
out on the pitch on Saturday and I am sure we will. They will try their best, and I will
try to select the ones who in my opinion are the best fit for that game.
Do you have a chance to improve things in the January market?
Yes, but it has to be the right player, in the right context that financially we can
compete and we can attract and all these factors, if you put them together, are not easy in
this market.
Do you have a wishlist?
I have, yes. You need to have one always, just in case!
Do you have an update on Aubameyang's ban?
It has been confirmed that he is going to be suspended for three games. So we're not
going to have the player for the next three fixtures. It's a big shame and a big loss
for us, because as well we know Auba's intention when he plays. But unfortunately he mistimed
the tackle, he made a decision and we have to accept it.
What will the team will miss most about not having Auba involved?
Auba has been around, he was very sad after the game. He was disappointed that he left
the team with 10 men. It's an action that is completely accidental in my opinion. He's
been superb under me, he's trained really well, he's working so hard. He's scoring goals
and has probably been the most important player on the team. So to lose him, obviously, is
really bad news for us.
Does the team plays worse without him on the pitch?
I don't know. I haven't experienced it. I hope not, I hope we can play better and even
win the games and he will be pushing for that as well. Players have to step up. You know,
when one of your big players is not there, they have to take responsibility.
I'm sure when they're not playing, they want a chance and they talk. It's time to talk
on the pitch, not outside. You come on there, you make the impact that he made and you sure
me that you are as good as him or even better. You have the chance.
What you will you focus on against Sheffield United?
I've been very impressed. I've seen a lot of games and everything is prepared. Everything
they do has a real sense, they are really difficult to break down. The solidarity in
their team is incredible, how hard they work for each other and they have very clear principles
- in attack and in defence, restarts of play, set-pieces - with what they want to do. So
it will be a very difficult test. I already warned the players today.
How much of a concern is Lacazette not scoring for a month?
It's a concern for me if he's concerned about it. In relation to his performances I am really
happy with him and the way he contributes with the team. He's setting up and creating
situations for the rest of his teammates, his work out of possession has been phenomenal
and he missed chances in those games that meant he could have had four or five goals
easily which is a little bit strange.
But you have these up and downs. I'm really happy with him
and he's still going to be a very important player for us
How can you help him?
You can help him by talking to him and giving him confidence, but that ball has to end up
in the net. I think that’s the best medicine for strikers. What we have to try to do is
put Laca in positions where he can have as many opportunities to do that as possible
during a game.
Could Martinelli get minutes in Aubameyang’s?
He’s having an impact every time he’s coming on, but it’s not just him. It’s
others players like Reiss and Nico too, so whoever players there on Saturday has to step
in and has to be thinking that they need to make the difference for the team.
Is John Stones is the type of player you'd like at Arsenal?
John is a player that I really like and I followed. We signed him when I was at Manchester
City and I worked with him for many years and know him well. When I look at centre backs
he has many attributes that I like from one, but we’re not interested.
Is Dani Ceballos still in your plans?
Yes. Dani had an injury where he was out for almost two months and had to go to Madrid
for his rehab. He came back and in the first few weeks I didn’t think that he was physically
at the level to compete for starting games.
It’s true that I have players in that position who have been performing really well, and
last week when I believed that he was ready to step in, I decided to pick another player.
But he’s been training good, I’m happy with him and I know him really well, so there’s
no issues there.
What is your opinion on Chris Wilder?
The work he’s done is phenomenal and he’s done some special things as well with some
movements and characteristics of how he moves his team around, and the demands that he puts
on his players.
What I like about a manager is when I see a team and they are a real team that fights
for every single ball with their attitude and behaviour, as well as their intentions
for what they want to do every time. It’s very clear what he’s trying to do, so I
big admirer.
Will you be happy if Arsenal don’t sign anyone?
I’m happy we have the squad that I believe we can compete for what we want. I’m fine.
I want to keep the players and get the maximum from the players that I want, but if this
scenario changes and we need somebody, I’m expecting that we will go into the market
and try to solve the issue.
Who will be captain will be Saturday?
That depends on the team selection.