Arteta on team fitness, 'pure fire' and Sporting
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Sporting at Emirates (kick-off 20:00 BST). Here are the key lines from his news conference: Arteta was vague on team news, adding that "a few of the boys" will be assessed Wednesday morning to see if they can play. Declan Rice, who did not train on Tuesday, is one of those but Arteta would not give details on the reason he is sidelined.
He said: "He has played a lot of games, and that is part of the issue. He is going to try to do everything he possibly can to be with us tomorrow evening. That's for sure.
" On Jurrien Timber or Bukayo Saka returning: "Maybe one of them, so let's see. " Saka had "an Achilles issue" which "was something he had been carrying for a while" before the League Cup final. Arteta added: "Hopefully, it's a matter of days and not weeks.
" Arteta said Saturday's defeat to Bournemouth "was a big disappointment and a hard one to take. " He added: "What we are trying to achieve is difficult, challenging, and bumpy at times. You have to confront it.
" On his message to the supporters going to the second-leg tie: "No fear, pure fire. That's it. Pure fire is what I want to see from the players on the pitch.