Mikel Arteta sends fierce Arsenal message ahead of Liverpool and Newcastle United tests
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has challenged his squad to "show their teeth" and "how much they want it" ahead of their Premier League double-header against Liverpool and Newcastle United.
Arne Slot's Reds come to the Emirates for Sunday's showdown, before the Gunners travel to St James' Park for next Saturday's televised lunchtime clash. Arsenal have several injuiry issues this weekend, which could continue into the game against United, although William Saliba will return after his one-match suspension tomorrow.
Captain Martin Odegaard is ruled out this weekend, while Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are also injury doubts. Saka, absent for the last two matches with a hamstring problem he sustained playing for England, is the closest to a return, with the Newcastle game likely should he miss Sunday's clash.
READ MORE:Eddie Howe saw what Alexander Isak did that means Newcastle United goals will flow
READ MORE:Eddie Howe uses Newcastle United 'trash talk' to spark response against Chelsea
"I love watching individuals and teams react to that," Arteta said of their injury issues. "It is a down look? I hate it. I haven't seen it in the staff, I haven't seen it upstairs, I haven't seen anyone talk about it. Get on with it. Show your teeth. Show how much you want it. This means opportunities for other people, and opportunities for us as a team to rebel against certain situations.
"When you lose your captain, that's a big thing. When you lose your central defender, a full-back, and another full-back, a striker, and a winger, the team has to have the resources. First of all mentally to adapt to that and then maintain the same belief that even like this we're a great team."
Arsenal are looking to respond to last weekend's 2-0 defeat to AFC Bournemouth, but know they are in for a tough test against Liverpool, who have adapted well to life under Arne Slot. That's come as no surprise to Arteta, who has been impressed with how the Dutch boss has started at Anfield.
"Arne's a really good manager," he added. "He's inherited a team that is successful and given it his touch to maintain and evolve in the direction he believes is the right way to do it.
"For me, they are one of the best teams in the last decade and certainly the history of this Premier League, because they competed against a team (Manchester City) that was creating record after record and they were consistently there.
"That shows a lot of relentless and winning mentality to consistently believe, even if some people feel you could not reach it. That's a big credit to them and they have done the work with a clear identity, so that's something remarkable in my opinion."