📣 Arteta on transfer targets, dressing room leaks and Smith Rowe | OneFootball

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta faced the media on Thursday and there was plenty to talk about ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Southampton.

Here’s what he had to say …

On Saturday’s squad

“As strong as it can be. We will asses the players, who is fit to play, who has recovered, we have a few issues after the game as well so in the next two days we will see the best possible line up. Southampton, we’re going to be playing them twice in three days which is strange, and try to keep the FA Cup run going as well.”

On if he knows who was leaking dressing room information

“I have a sort of idea, yes.”

And if they have left the club

“No comment on that.”

On getting rid of players before making signings

“We have done the first part, more or less, and we are focusing now on the second phase.

“Obviously this market and the context makes it difficult, but we are looking at options and we will see what we can do.”

On Martin Ødegaard links and a new left-back

“Sorry but I cannot comment about players that play for different clubs.

“We are looking at various positions because the movement we have made in this window with some players leaving the club has left us a little bit short in certain areas.

“With the departure of Kola we’re a little bit short with a left-footed full back at the moment. We can use Ainsley there, we can use Bukayo there, we can use Cédric who’s played in that position. We have some options. But a natural option to Kieran obviously we don’t, but we can adapt.”

On a new contract for Smith Rowe

“Let’s go step by step. Emile has done really well. He deserves his chance. He’s taking it and grabbing it with both hands in a really convincing way. So, let him be things will come naturally.”

On Mesut Özil’s departure

“The quarantine situation is making that final step the longest ever because they have a lot of restrictions there. There are things that have to be done before announcing anything.

“He’s a great footballer and he’s a really talented footballer. He’s a player that has done a lot for the football club. But at the moment I want to take the team in a different direction.”