Arteta: It’s Too Early to Talk About the Title Race; I Believe Havertz Can Score Goals

In the seventh round of the Premier League, Arsenal will face Southampton at home. At the pre-match press conference, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta stated that it is too early to discuss the title race. Additionally, Arteta believes that Kai Havertz has the ability to score 20 goals in a season.

Regarding the recovery status of Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu, Arteta did not reveal much, “We have adjusted the training plans for many players and will make decisions on the squad for this game later. They are close to being ready to play. However, Zinchenko will only return after the break, the same goes for Odegaard, but he is actively recovering.”

Arteta noted that the match against Southampton will be a tough encounter, “We understand the importance of the game, but every opponent presents challenges. Southampton is a great team, although they haven’t scored many points yet, they often perform better than their opponents during matches.”

Talking about former Arsenal player Aaron Ramsdale, Arteta said, “He is a great player and very charming. He has left his mark on the club, and it’s nice to see him again.”

Regarding the congested schedule, Arteta believes Arsenal has adapted, “With the congested schedule and injuries, many things are unpredictable, but we have adapted. We are looking forward, and we need to improve in some areas. However, we have shown stability and adaptability.”

On Havertz’s previous performances, Arteta gave positive feedback, “He is a great player, and he is surrounded by excellent players. Although he has gone through some tough times, this will make him an even better player.”

Regarding playing at home, Arteta expressed that it feels great, “Playing at the Emirates Stadium is an honor. My players and I are supported by our fans, and the feeling is incredible. I hope to win more games for them.”

When asked about the title race, Arteta said it’s too early to discuss, “It’s just the beginning, and it’s too early to talk about these things. But every game is crucial. It’s only October, so we can only imagine.”

Subsequently, Arteta spoke again about Odegaard’s absence, “His impact on the team is all-encompassing, and it’s hard to replace him with one player. We can only try to change our playing style to achieve chemistry. The situation is improving, and we’ve found some solutions, but we still miss him very much.”

Arteta stated that Havertz has the potential to score 20 goals in a season, “He has the ability and ambition. His mindset has changed significantly.”

When discussing the congested schedule again, Arteta chose not to complain, “I don’t want anyone to get injured. I hope all players return healthy from international duty. However, the schedule has been like this for years, and we can’t change it. This is also the responsibility and obligation of many European teams, as well as South American teams. We must adapt and hope the players stay healthy.”

At the end of the press conference, Arteta talked about Thomas, “He is a very important player for us, and he proves it every week. Of course, changing some habits won’t be easy, and he is doing everything possible to maintain his best physical condition. Of course, the entire team is also working hard to become the most competitive and win every game.”