It’s the final Premier League gameweek before the international break, and managers up and down the country will be speaking to the press.
Daily Mail Sport will bring you all the key news here…
Mikel Arteta said his criticism of the referee’s decision to award Sunderland a penalty against Arsenal last weekend was through a duty to ‘defend my club’ and confirmed they have spoken to Pro Ref.
The Spaniard was incensed after referee John Brooks awarded the Black Cats a penalty for grappling in the area between Dan Ballard and Ezri Konsa.
He was adamant that Ballard had pulled Konsa to the ground and on the day labelled Brooks’ decision as ‘unacceptable’.
Ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League fixture against Brighton on Saturday, Arteta said: ‘I am here to try and give my opinion, defend my club, give the very best to my players.
Mikel Arteta said his criticism of the referee’s decision to award Sunderland a penalty against Arsenal last weekend was through a duty to ‘defend my club’
‘In order to do so I need to respond in the most direct and fair way. I will make mistakes sometimes but I will try and be as fair as possible.
‘We have a space to talk and give our opinions. It’s everybody’s duty to try and improve the game.’
Arsenal have since spoken to Pro Ref about the matter.
‘We discuss many topics and very important all of them. To talk to give their opinions, and everyone’s duty to try and improve the game,’ he said.
When pushed on what was said, Arteta replied: ‘It is a conversation that will remain private.’
He was also asked whether Arsenal received a direct apology like Manchester United did soon after the Manchester derby defeat to Manchester City: ‘It is not about an apology. It is about agreeing that the decision should be different or not.’
Meanwhile, Arteta is optimistic that up to four injured defenders could return for the club’s trip to the Amex.
Jurrien Timber, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie all did not feature in the midweek Carabao Cup squad against Ipswich Town.
‘Everyone is fine. We still have another training session this afternoon, but I’m very optimistic about all of them,’ he said.
‘They all want to be involved, and we’ll use the final session to make sure they’re ready.’
Ben White was forced off at half-time at Sunderland but Arteta indicated all is well with his right back, stating: ‘All good. We have another training session.’
By Isaan Khan
