The Arsenal injury Mikel Arteta is keeping quiet amid covert Man Utd tactic

Mikel Arteta, ahead of the crunch Premier League fixture against Manchester United, kept cards close to his chest during a press conference regarding team availability.

The Arsenal boss had already made tactical substitutions in the previous game, pulling both Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori with an eye on rotating minutes.

Injury clouds hung over Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino after Friday’s concerning news that neither would be fit in time for West Ham – a decision confirmed by Saturday’s lineup revelation. Arteta remained tight-lipped about player fitness updates and opted for a guarded stance: “We’re gonna have a meeting this afternoon. We have done a training session,” he outlined.

“We monitored and kept some players away from certain activities.”

He asserted post-meeting plans would crystalise player availability: “After that meeting I will decide which ones are fit and available and who will start,” adding assertively, “They all want to play.”

The gaffer typically schedules his media interactions to occur either on the morning before the final training session or several days prior to a match; this allows him space to discuss pending assessments. However, Tuesday’s post-session press conference differed, Arteta withheld information perhaps as a strategic move not to give any advantages to Ruben Amorim’s side.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been playing his cards close to his chest regarding team injuries, and he’s got a clear strategy behind it. He recently shed light on the importance of keeping such details under wraps, saying: “I don’t want to make it easy for anyone. The opponent has to make sure they do their homework – like I have to.”

Arteta insists on maintaining an element of surprise, stating: “When I know, I am not going to lie to you, I am not going to say, ‘he’s not fit’ and then I play him – I would never do that. But, if I am certain or I don’t want to tell you, I will keep you guessing.”

True to his word, Arteta keeps both fans and opponents on their toes.

Despite having the chance to rest Gabriel Martinelli after his Champions League goal, Arteta may need to rely on his squad depth amidst injury concerns.

Jorginho, Jakub Kiwior, and Oleksandr Zinchenko are all options following their performances in the victory over West Ham, with Jorginho potentially making his third consecutive league start since the last international break.