Mikel Arteta says Arsenal’s physical problems and preference for team unity led him to bring a team to PSV Eindhoven for the Champions League clash.
Arsenal have five first-team players and have taken 3 homegrown players to the Netherlands.
Attacking midfielder Ethan Nwaneri, defender Reuell Walters and full-back Lino Sousa have all travelled and the latter two could make their debuts.
Arteta also brought in the rest of his first-team squad, adding Bukayo Saka, who worked out on Monday morning due to a knock to his foot.
Tuesday’s encounter in Eindhoven is meaningless, as Arsenal showed themselves to be the winners of Group B and PSV are already in the round of 16 in second place.
“We have five or six big injuries so we are already a bit thin,” said Arteta.
“I don’t know what I would have done in another context, but I also need everyone to have the mentality to win. I need to see him in their stomachs tomorrow. “
“Technically, the homework is done, but not quite. It’s our duty as representatives of Arsenal to win each and every game and deliver wonderful functionality against a team that is going to make things very difficult as they have done. “shown in the last two years.
Arteta was quick to allay any fears of Saka’s injury, adding: “He’s fine.
“With some of them, we had another recovery day just 48 hours before and he played a lot of minutes, so it wasn’t worth exposing him [to Monday’s practice]. “
Arsenal are expected to put together a rotation against PSV, with the likes of Jorginho and Leandro Trossard expected to start.
All three academy players will likely have to settle for a few minutes off the bench, with Arteta singing Nwaneri’s praise.
“Something unique about him that I liked from the start is his ability to get the ball in tight areas, to get away a little bit like Jack Wilshere did,” he said.
“The personality he has he trains with us like he trains with the under-18s, under-16s. And I love that in a player.
“They’ve also put something in his mouth: he needs to show how smart he is every day and impress people.
“When you have something like that, you have to give them hope and also.
“It was a really important moment for us because we really wanted to keep him. I think it was a strong sign for him (making his Premier League debut) that this was his place to keep developing.”
Emile Smith Rowe also travelled to Eindhoven and could make his first appearance since suffering a knee injury in October.
The attacking midfielder has struggled with health issues for the past two years, but Arteta believes this will make him stronger.
“I think what’s happened is part of the joy that 90 percent of footballers have to go through, which is difficulties, injuries, setbacks and other types of constant performances now,” he said.
“It’s all in her bag now. If you can use him in a difficult way, you’ll be a much better player. The way he did his rehab, I’d never noticed him do that before, like he did it this way. time.
“You see that his teammates have reacted to his return, which is also very positive. As soon as we can give him opportunities, the better off we will be. “
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