Mikel Arteta makes new injury admission in bid to give Arsenal edge

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has vowed to keep opponents guessing by being coy with his team news updates.

The Gunners boss has historically been guarded when providing updates on injured players, most recently when he was quizzed over the fitness of Bukayo Saka.

Arteta has defended his stance, explaining that he does it to ensure that Arsenal’s opponents do not gain an advantage.

“That is my job,” said Arteta. “For me, I will tell you everything but that has consequences.

“I need to be very careful because sometimes I can tell you a player is going to be a few weeks but is a few months.

“Sometimes I don’t know if a player is going to be fit in two days’ time or when the press conference is.

“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. This is my job. But as well to keep all these guys, everyone alert as well, that is important.

“I don’t want to make it easy for anybody. The opponent has to work and think and prepare and make sure they do their homework like I have to.

“I wish I knew their starting XI, who is on the bench, but I don’t. It is our job to guess and do the work we have to do.”