Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta has set his sights on the Carabao Cup quarter-finals by envisaging a win over West Ham United later today as a “chance to progress and win a trophy.”
Arteta disclosed this in his pre-match conference with Arsenal’s Media earlier, where he also gave an update as regards Declan Rice’s return to action.
In his words, Arteta said: “We just have to beat West Ham. It’s a competition that we have the chance to progress and win a trophy and our mindset is going to be focused just on West Ham.
“Doing what we are doing being consistent and playing better than the opponent, tomorrow against West Ham is going to be a really tough game. It always is away from home against them and we want to continue with the momentum and form that we’re in. That’s it.
Asked about the similarities between the game and their last cup match against Brentford, the Spaniard replied: “Yes and the context is a bit different because we’ve got some injuries. We don’t have too much availability in terms of the squad but I prepare the game in the same way we did there to try to win it.”
Finally, Arteta gave a green light on Rice’s return to action, whilst also highlighting the beauty in the fact that the England international will be playing against at his former home stadium for the first time since making a switch to Emirates last summer.
“He’s likely. He’s fit and can be involved. It will be his first time back at his old club and a beautiful moment I think for him.”
“I think it’s beautiful. I had the experience to do it a few times and then you really see what they think of you and what you left at the club. It’s a really good way to measure your experience and your reality within the reality of the people who share moments with you,” Mikel Arteta said.
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