Arteta on player availability, right-back conundrum and 'living in the moment'
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Burnley at Emirates Stadium (kick-off 20:00 BST). Here are the key lines from his news conference: It is unknown if defender Riccardo Calafiori will be fit after he was forced off with a muscle injury at half-time last time out: "We still have a few days ahead of us. Hopefully it is nothing serious, but we'll have to wait and see how he reacts.
" Jurrien Timber, who is struggling with a recurring ankle injury, is "feeling better" and has "progressed a little bit" this week. The aim is to get the defender "fit and available as quick as possible" because he is "such an important player". Arteta added: "He is doing everything he possibly can to help the team in any capacity.
There is a chance he could play - I cannot tell you how big the chance is. " When asked if injured Ben White will miss the World Cup, he replied: "It looks like a long-term injury so, at the moment, the focus is on when we will get him back available for Arsenal. That isn't going to happen for many, many weeks.
" The Gunners will be forced to "look at alternatives" at right-back going into the final run-in. However, he reiterated: "We have experienced this all over the pitch this season. When we've had other issues, they've normally been in the same positions as well.
Each time, we have managed to find the right level of performance and consistency, so I'm sure we can do it. " Cristhian Mosquera could be "an option" in the defensive line, but Arteta is keen on being "flexible" and "open to not only one but two or three options" amid his right-back conundrum. Following the 1-0 win over West Ham , the Gunners are "living in the moment", the players' emotions are "in a really good state" and the "energy level is right".