Mikel Arteta faced the media ahead of Arsenal’s match with Brentford in the Premier League. He discussed the upcoming clash in west London and provided some insights into the team news.

The Gunners, following their 1-0 win over Ipswich Town on Friday, have the chance to close the gap to the top to just six points, although having played a game more than Liverpool. Chelsea’s subsequent defeat to Ipswich means Arsenal can move four clear of their London rivals.

Arteta was asked about the latest on Raheem Sterling in the absence of Bukayo Saka, his thoughts on Leandro Trossard’s demeanour in games and his importance, and also his latest thoughts on the challenge of chasing down Liverpool.

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You can read every word from his pre-match press conference below:

More games than ever before, how much have they grown since last year?

We are going to have to prove it. What we’ve proven that already this season, I’m sure of that. If this had happened last season, the number of games we’ve played with ten men, the injuries in the squad, for sure it would be difficult to be in the stages of the competition we are in now.

So, for sure, the team has made another step, the team is evolving and adapting to new circumstances and now we have another one with more games with less players. So, let’s face it.

Raheem back sooner than expected?

He was gutted because he had a good game against Palace here, he could have scored two goals and made an assist and in the end, he got injured in a training session. That was his opportunity because naturally, he would have played in that position. But knowing Raz, I think he will be back quite soon.

Liverpool won again, how hard is it going to be to catch them?

I don’t know and it doesn’t depend on us. We have to continue to be like a hammer, be there every day, every day and if someone wins all the matches then congratulate them and then go to the next season. But if they don’t, which in history it hasn’t happened, we will be there.

New Year’s resolution for this year?

Keep everybody fit. That’s it.

Thoughts on Leandro Trossard?

He’s really good. They all want to play. Always want to play. Leo has shown a lot more consistency in the last 12 months, he’s deserved that. He’s had a lot of competition in his position. That’s it. Raise the level. If he plays at that level, then he will play like anyone else. He has the capacity to do something special in the final third.

He scores important goals, how big is that for the team?

He’s played and with us, he’s played as a left winger, as an attacking midfielder, he’s played as a nine and he’s a player that I value a lot, we value a lot because he’s very versatile and very competitive and he’s a massive goal threat for the team. Really happy with him.

Is his attitude good?

Yeah, Leo naturally is a bit of a moaner but I like that because he’s very competitive and you have training sessions, he’s always busy with the referee’s decision because he wants to win. That’s what I love.

He always wants to be the best and when he’s not there, he’s not happy. But that’s what pushes him. That’s where he comes in the pitch, he can make an impact because he’s got that drive, that anger which says: ‘I’m gonna show you.’ I love that about him.

How are you preparing the team for Brentford?

They will train on Saturday, recovery day and then the full focus on Brentford because our minds have to be on what we have to do. We have to recover because not just now but also in the next few weeks, we have so many games, so many competitions and we need to be right up there.

Thoughts on Brentford as a team

Very tough, a really, really good team. If you see their record at home until last week, it’s remarkable and they evolved and adapted as well with the qualities in the team with the players they have in the team right now. Very impressed.

Have to rotate against Brentford?

I will watch the game back, I will watch the training session like we always do and feel it. We will then think about what is the best team to start, what is the best team to finish the game in relation to other positions as well as individual moments of each player.

Before he goes…

I wish you all a happy new year.