Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta spoke to the club's official website ahead of tomorrow's clash against Newcastle United. Below is the full transcript from the pre-match press conference:
What defenders will be fit?
It's a good question! We will know probably more tomorrow, so we wanted to extend this period as much as possible to understand how they are recovering, how they are feeling, assess them and tomorrow probably we will know more about how they are.
What players are you waiting for more news on?
Yes, Ben and Gabi.
READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers live as major Gabriel Jesus update revealed
How do you reflect on the north London derby?
[I look] forwards. I said after the press conference, I just look forwards, that game was lost, we were disappointed, but we didn't have any time to recover and we have a huge game to play on Monday against Newcastle and full focus and energy was just on that.
What did you make of Antonio Conte's post-match comments?
I am fully focused on Newcastle.
How do you think we played against Tottenham?
We started the game extremely well, that we conceded the first goal and the way we conceded after that decision and obviously after the game, got into a situation that is difficult to judge or assess, but I said it, I was really proud of the players, how they tried to handle the situation, but obviously very disappointed with the result.
What have you learnt from your players since the loss?
How lucky I am to have them, how they stand under any difficulty, how much they are looking forward to play on Monday, how excited they are about the challenge ahead, because we all know everything that we've been through throughout the season and how much we have to fight to be in this position.
Was Thursday the lowest moment of your managerial career?
Thursday was another one. Obviously losing a derby is always painful and having been through the situation we went in the game, it's like that, but as well, you learn a lot probably more than with any victory, so it's good to go through those moments sometimes.
Have the players' confidence levels been damaged by Thursday's defeat?
That it was a possibility and that we knew that to get in the position that we are today, a lot has happened in the past and we've been through it, we've experienced it and hopefully, that can help us again on Monday.
What reaction are you expecting from the players?
The excitement that they've shown me every day. The way they've come in today with the energy that they were with today to play the game and very willing to go there and perform at the highest level.
What have you made of Newcastle's progress under Eddie Howe?
Well, you can see what Eddie and the coaching staff have done. Straight away they tried to modify the way they were playing, they have changed formation a few times, but after that they've been quite consistent and they have turned the place around I think in a really good way, and so merit to them.
What kind of atmosphere do you expect from St. James' Park?
This is the Premier League and it's great to go to away grounds and experience those moments. As an athlete, you want to be exposed to that and take it in the right way and feel lucky to play these kind of games.
How will Arsenal adjust to the additional injuries?
We will have to modify certain positions to try to make it work, because we don't have more defenders and even though we have academy players, they haven't experienced a lot of those positions because they're not specified central defenders, so it's something that we will try to find a way.
How likely is it that Gabriel and Ben White are fit?
I could [give you an estimate], but I will probably be telling you whatever! Tomorrow will be the day we will have better answers, probably not the answers that we want until matchday, but hopefully better answers.
