Gunners’ boss Mikel Arteta is paying no heed to Real Madrid links, ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Lisbon
There have been rumors that Real Madrid want to hire Mikel Arteta to replace Carlo Ancelotti when he leaves. Ahead of Arsenal’s Europa League fixture against Sporting CP, Arsenal’s boss was asked about the rumors. Arteta insisted that he is “fully focused” on Arsenal’s title challenge.
The Gunners sit at the summit of the Premier League table, 5 points clear of rivals Man City. Arteta has been deservedly praised for his work at Arsenal and there are several rumors linking him to a job at Real Madrid.
Arteta confirms Jesus’ return to full training
When asked about it ahead of Arsenal’s Europa League last 16 clash with Sporting CP, Arteta claimed that it’s not something he is even thinking about right now.
“It’s things that managers or players can’t control, what is written,” he said at Wednesday’s pre-match press conference.
“What I can tell you is that I’m fully focused on what I’m doing here and extremely proud and grateful to do what I’m doing in this football club. That’s it.”
The Gunners have a busy schedule in the coming weeks which could get even busier should they progress in the Europa League. Despite the tight schedule, Arteta will not be looking to rotate his squad.
“We have one team and we have to play the games with the best possible players to win it,” he said. “There have been moments where we have made eight changes.
“It’s things that managers or players can’t control, what is written,”
“We try to accommodate. Players have moments throughout the season where they’re available and when they’re not. For sure we will try to pick the best team to win the game.
“Of course everyone wants to play. It’s true as well when we’ve wanted to rotate players they’ve been injured and unavailable. Tomorrow that may be the case.
“Sometimes it’s been difficult and players have to deserve to play the minutes. Being fair in football is very difficult.
“You have to be really good at communicating your decisions to help players understand what you do, but all the time you have to think for the best of the team.
“We want everybody to feel important and we are going to try to make them feel like that.”
Arteta gave little away about his available squad for the match. However, he did confirm that Gabriel Jesus trained fully with the team on Wednesday.
