Mikel Arteta is set to face the press ahead of Arsenal's Champions League clash with RC Lens at the Emirates Stadium.
It's been a good return from the international break so far for the Gunners. They sit top of the Premier League after Kai Havertz's late winner over Brentford.
The German popped up with his first competitive goal from open play since his summer arrival from Chelsea, but another talking point from the game was the form of Aaron Ramsdale. The England international failed to convince at the Gtech Community Stadium and has been the subject of speculation over his future.
As well as sale Arsenal have been linked to plenty of incomings this week. Victor Osimhen is the latest centre forward said to be on the Gunners' radar. For now, their focus will be on the Champions League where qualification for the knockout stages can be sealed with a point.
You can follow everything Arteta has to say on all that and much more with our Arsenal writers Kaya Kaynak and Tashan Deniran-Alleyne in football.london 's live blog below.
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Key Events
Every word from Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta spoke to the media today ahead of Arsenal's game against RC Lens and he touched on:
- Fabio Vieira operation
- Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey
- Champions League qualification
Read the full transcript right here.
Fabio Vieira injury blow confirmed
Fabio Vieira's availability for Arsenal against RC Lens was thrown into doubt following today's training session as he was not spotted at London Colney with his teammates.
It was unclear as to why the 23-year-old was absent but Mikel Arteta has since offered an explanation by revealing the attacking midfielder has undergone an operation on his groin and isn't expected to feature again in 2023.
That is all
That is all from Mikel Arteta. Stay tuned as we will have reaction to the press conference and the full transcript shortly.
Arteta on if the midfield is light
We’ve been very unlucky with some of the injuries. We’re not the only club with injuries. Where it happens is a bit critical. The team needs to adapt.
Arteta on whether Smith Rowe and Partey could be back before the January break
It is a possibility. Emile has already been on the pitch doing some jogging. He’s a quick healer. Thomas the same. We need them to be back at their best.
Arteta on if Arsenal have more to prove in the Champions League
For sure. We have to prove we have to come back to Europe being the club we want to be.
Arteta on if Trossard is his best value for money signing
I’m not a financial advisor but I think he’s a tremendous player with great talent and intelligence to play the way we want to play.
Arteta on what's to come from Saka
Getting to the top is one thing. The way he’s improved is really steady. He’s got the right mentality. He has the right people around him. He wants more and that’s because there’s much more to come
Arteta on if Saka is world class
I don’t know what world class means but he’s a top, top player that’s for sure.
Arteta on White
He trained the day before the Brentford game and was feeling good I think he’ll be available for this game. That’s very good news for us.
Arteta on Vieira
Yeah we’ve got a problem with him. He’s been having some discomfort. We sent him to see a specialist and the advice was to have an operation in his groin. He did that yesterday. We don’t expect him back this side of the winter break. It will take weeks I think.
Arteta on possible returns for Partey and Smith Rowe before January
It is a possibility. Emile has already been on the pitch doing some jogging. He’s a quick healer. Thomas the same. We need them to be back at their best.
Arteta on White
He trained the day before the Brentford game and was feeling good I think he’ll be available for this game. That’s very good news for us.
Mikel Arteta is speaking
Mikel Arteta is now in position and his leg of Arsenal's pre-RC Lens press conference has started.
Trossard on his record as a sub
Not really. I always try to be ready. Even if I’m on the bench if I play 15 minutes that’s my mindset in the game. The opposition are a bit more tired after 75 games.
Trossard on teams dropping deeper
I think it’s natural. We’ve seen that at Man City for example. When you’re doing so well as a team people are going to adapt. it’s up to us to get the game plan right.
Trossard on if he can be the starting left eight
I think so. Like I said it’s a position I can handle. I play there in the Belgian national team as well. I need to be switched on. But it’s based on game plan. Not every team plays the same.
Trossard on Jover
It’s a pleasure to work with him. He’s really clever on set pieces. It’s such a great aspect in the game where you can open up a game. It helped us already a lot. We need to keep improving but we train on it as much as possible.
When you play every three days there’s not much time to work on it but we will always squeeze it in but it’s in the general game plan.
Trossard on his disallowed goal against Brentford
That’s football as well. There are so many things you can think about. It’s a disallowed goal so you have to move on.
Trossard on VAR
If there is VAR then we want the best possible outcome. Everyone can have mistakes. When it doesn’t go your way you have to take it on the chin. You can’t change it in the moment.
In place
We have moved from outside to inside at London Colney and are in position to hear from Mikel Arteta and Leandro Trossard ahead of Arsenal's game against RC Lens.
Champions League odds
Champions League Winner 2023/24
Man City - 2/1
Bayern Munich - 4/1
Real Madrid - 13/2
Arsenal - 8/1
Paris Saint-Germain - 14/1
Arsenal have been installed as fourth favourites to be crowned champions of Europe this season. Odds via Betfair.
Running late
Arsenal training started 45 minutes late today so we're expecting Leandro Trossard and Mikel Arteta to arrive a bit later than expected.
Champions League state of play
From a Premier League perspective, Manchester City - the Champions League holders - are through to the last-16 with two games to spare and will top their group as long as they avoid defeat at home to RB Leipzig tonight.
Now, Arsenal are best placed to join Pep Guardiola's side in the knockout round, but the next two nights could see Manchester United and Newcastle United eliminated if results go against them.
Click here for a UEFA Champions League state of play ahead of matchday five.
Last time out
Two goals and a clean sheet last time out in the UEFA Champions League for Arsenal. More of the same tomorrow night and they will be through to the last-16.
A favour from Sevilla
Arsenal may not even need a point to be assured of qualification. In fact, before kick-off at the Emirates Stadium, their fate could be sealed as the Sevilla vs PSV Eindhoven clash is in the 5.45pm kick-off slot and the result will be known prior to proceedings getting underway in North London.
Ben White update
Having not been spotted with the rest of the squad earlier, Ben White did eventually make his way out on to the pitch alongside strength and conditioning coach Sam Wilson and trained on his own so it remains to be seen what his availabilty for the Lens game is.
Open training session notes
Before Mikel Arteta was due to speak to the media, he oversaw an open training session at London Colney.
Once again, football.london were present and we noted there was no sign of Fabio Vieira or Ben White.
What Arsenal need
Group B is nicely poised ahead of matchday five and Arsenal simply need a point to qualify whilst victory will guarantee top spot.
