Arsenal press conference LIVE: Mikel Arteta on Bournemouth, Gabriel Jesus and squad rotation

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is set to speak to the media ahead of the Premier League game against Bournemouth and we have all the news from London Colney

Hello and welcome to the live stream of Arsenal’s press conference ahead of their Premier League clash with Bournemouth.
Arsenal have now won their last three games and have completely turned the tide after dropping points in early February. Wednesday night’s 4-0 win over Everton underscored the quality of Mikel Arteta.
Since the match against the cherries takes place only four days later, the question of a possible rotation certainly arises again.

Arteta criticized the scheduling of games when the Gunners were last due to play on Wednesday and the following Saturday. Here’s what he had to say ahead of the 4-2 win against Aston Villa:

“It’s very difficult to play tomorrow [but] we will have full energy. It’s not a problem: I want the players to be in the best possible mentality and physically ready to take on this challenge.”

However, there is squad news and now only Gabriel Jesus is out, although he too could be called upon to return soon. After being out and even being photographed with the team, the hope is that the Brazilian is close.

You can hear what Arteta has to say about all these issues with Arsenal’s football.london writers Kaya Kaynak and Tom Canton in the live blog below.

Arteta on the fact that Jesus will return soon

It probably wouldn’t be fair to him because when he was in the team he was phenomenal. But when he returns like everyone else, he will have to earn his place in the team.

Arteta on Zinchenko

He can and does adapt to certain positions that we have very well. Sometimes he occupies those spaces.

Arteta to the potential on his part

There is much more to come. We can do much better in many areas.

Arteta to the potential on his part

There is much more to come. We can do much better in many areas.

Arteta at Newcastle

I’m sorry, but I’m not going to comment on this.

Arteta on Jesus

He’s not far away now. I don’t want to give a schedule, but he does some things with the team and some things outside the team. It’s not very close, but it’s not very far. Doctors are confident in the way he is developing

It was quite easy. At first we were quite worried and luckily it wasn’t that bad. Gabi has been through this before, his mentality is amazing and the team did a great job with him.

Arteta on Jorginho

George is fine. He was ill and was doing a great shift, but we decided to take him off.

Arteta on Nketiah

Yes, he was. We are evaluating it. It’s a little uncertain what will happen to him. Let’s see what will happen.

Arteta in the race for the title

There are no messages to opponents, just our players to do best what we do best. This is the only discussion around the team.

Mikel Arteta to come… 

We are expecting the manager of Arsenal soon.
Mikel Arteta confronts the media ahead of a game which comes after Manchester City are set to take on Newcastle in Saturday’s early kick-off, which adds another dimension as the Gunners are often the team to play first.

Arsenal will reflect on New Year’s Eve when a draw with Everton at the Etihad saw them come back from seven points adrift with victory at Brighton. Could there be a rehearsal tomorrow?