Odegaard injury SIGNIFICANT but we can COPE I Mikel Arteta I Atalanta v Arsenal

Do you find it's a little bit strange to play your first game in the Champions League, a new format and competition? It's a story what we achieved last season but for us as well, it's a new season and we really want to keep going the right way. Do you think you will disappoint the team, it's quite a new format, and then you go on to the next, it's such a big game, it's not a place. Hopefully not, hopefully we have so much energy for what happened on Sunday as well, it was great, we have recovered a few players which is very important for us as well and we play a competition that we absolutely love tomorrow, so we look at the positives. I think the question that a lot of Barcelona fans want to know is, is there an update on the market and how it might be handled? After a recent scan, the scan showed there was some damage, especially in one of the ligaments in the ankle, so we're going to miss it. Give us a rough guideline. I don't want to do that because I'm not a doctor, but by yet it's something quite significant, so we're going to lose it for a while. Hopefully not months, but we'll see. We saw images of the training, was there anything that's changed, players who trained who haven't travelled or players who didn't see train who have travelled? Ricardo, that he was able to train today, so he will be available, he's in the squad and it's great news because as we all know we've been quite short the last few weeks. You've got the signals to make obviously with a massive game coming up when you're playing on a Thursday night away as opposed to a Wednesday night at home. Will you have to rest some players, will you have to tweak your squad? No, we're in September. We have to put the players that we believe are the best to win tomorrow and that's the most important and the only thing for us. What is it about Arsenal and on the road? In 2024, especially in the Premier League, you guys haven't been beaten. It's a bit of a different story in Europe last season, but what is it about on the road that you guys do so well? Is there anything in particular that you do before games? If we want to be at the level that we want to be, we have to be really good on the road and at home. There's no other choice. We have to continue to be that consistent, get the results, especially get the performances that are going to get us the result. In Europe, as you said, it's extremely tough. It's in the Premier League to win, but hopefully we can be more effective than we were last season because, especially in this competition, small margins define results and we have to be really good at it. Of the five away games in Europe, there were three defeats. What do you think are the nuances between playing away in England and in Europe? There are, but obviously you don't know the opponents that well and then boxes become crucial. I think at this level there are small details, small moments that define the story of the competition and define the story of a game. In the Premier League it's a bit different, but in Europe the teams are ruthless and you better be at your best and be very, very effective. Just one more on Odegaard, please. Obviously it's a big misfit, but are you confident that you've got the players to fill in for him while he's out? Yes, but we have to show that. He's our captain, he's one of our biggest players without a doubt. He's one of the most consistent players in the last two or three seasons and this is who he is. Our identity as well is very related to his way of playing and his way of behaving. We're going to have to deal with that and that's a great test for the team as well, how capable we are to show maybe a different face and the fact that we have other players and other options that can be still very effective. In terms of last year's Champions League, how much do you think this team has learned from their experience playing in the Champions League last year? Do you think you can take that into the campaign? I hope so. That's the aim. It was a great campaign for us. We got to a place that we didn't as a club for 16 or 18 years. We weren't satisfied and happy at all because we won more. They showed that hunger. I think we have the ability, we have the quality certainly and now we have to improve it. Just picking up on what Ed said, that was this team's first campaign in the Champions League together. The change you're thinking at all, especially maybe the quarterfinal against Bayern and how you approach Europe? I don't know if it's going to change depending on the opponent, depending on the moment that we are in. I think we learned certain lessons, certain aspects that we can do better. As well, being very conscious that these are the top elite clubs in Europe and they know how to play and they know how to compete. You lost those two big away games against Porto and Bayern Munich as well. Do you think this team is now better equipped to deal with the pressure and those atmospheres of an away day? As I said, hopefully we have learned as well and we can show that composure as well as that determination. And that belief that is very important in these stages because tomorrow we know what we are going to be facing. It's going to be tough but the team is ready and prepared. There's obviously a new format in this season's Champions League with two extra games. You've spoken in the past about needing to protect the players when it comes to the picture list. Do you think that's being done with these extra games? Do you think it's fair on the players at the moment? Well, I think that the reason why we changed the format is obviously for all the football fans and all the people that love the sport. And to give a better product, more entertainment. And now we have to deliver, especially the players have to deliver. So, let's see how it goes. Hi Mikel, have you been pleasantly surprised almost by how the players as a group have responded to coming close last year and having a disappointment? How big of a test is it to start a new season with a lot of determination and resilience? Yes, well I think this team has always reacted that way. And the fact that obviously we weren't satisfied and we wanted more and we knew that we could be there. And we had the level and we lost a few things on the way that didn't allow us to be there. That has to be in the tummy, you know. And a new season, a new opportunity and that's the beautiful thing about sport. Just quickly about Bukayo Saka who had a slight injury concern at Tottenham, is he fine? Yes, he's able to train today and he completed most of the session. So, he's a better player. Hi Mikel, just talking about your away form. You're yet to actually trail in any game in the Premier League away from home in 2024. What has changed and when did you notice that change and how can that benefit you in Europe? Well, I noticed game by game that the team is able to compete, to perform and to actually get results in very, very difficult stadiums. In a really consistent way. And winning matches in different ways, which I think is very important if you want to be consistent, especially away from home. And now we have to put that, those learnings to the Champions League, as you said. And show tomorrow that we are capable of doing that. And I am also similar. I think finally we're going to go to Nick at the back, so Nick can make a shout. Hi. Thank you. And Ricardo Caligiuri, whether you've asked them to speak to the players? That's why you have to learn Italian. I just said that I spoke to both of them, just to gather some information. Because they know, obviously, the club really well. They both played here. They know a few of the players there. And it's always very important information to have. Buona sera a tutti.