16/03/2026
Mikel Arteta has been speaking with the press ahead of tomorrow's UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg against Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates stadium. Kai Havertz netted at the BayArena to help the Gunners sn**ch a 1-1 draw in Germany last week.
Ahead of the fixture, Mikel gave team news, assessed our opponents and much more.
Here's an excerpt of all he had to say:
on Saturday being a significant moment in the season:
Yes, it was a significant moment, a really nice moment to live together. But that's in the past now, the full focus is on tomorrow.
on how proud he was of Max Dowman:
Very much, obviously, to do what he did in such a moment, very rare to see or impossible, almost. He's done it and now it's football, and what you've done a few days ago is not relevant anymore, it's about the next one.
on Timberโs and Odegaardโs availability:
Yes, both of them are out.
on Trossard:
Heโs okay, he felt good so he's available
on any other injury concerns:
No, no any other news.
on what to expect from Leverkusen tomorrow:
Very much the same and watching them play against Bayern Munich at the weekend, very similar. So again, really well coached, a team with a very clear structure, really good individuals. Obviously we are in the stage, in the competition that we are in right now, so we know what we have to do, and in front of our crowd, with our people, putting all the energy in the world again, hopefully we are going to do it.
on if he can recall anything in the last six years like the feeling he had on Saturday:
Every feeling is different; we had so many beautiful moments throughout this period. The reason one obviously is the one that you had more recent, that's why it's very special. But as I said, let's have another wonderful one tomorrow.
on if there are any players who can mentor and look after Dowman:
We have the leadership group obviously and certain individuals that are very close with him. The most important one is his family as well, and he's in a very good place there as well, and for him, because he is used to a lot of things, he takes it very normally and he knows that this sport is about today.
on how important Odegaard could be to Dowman:
All the experiences that the players have and they can share and explain, it's very useful because probably he's going through things that some of us in the past would have been at his age, not many, but Martin is a really good example.
on what it was like to work with Mavropanos:
Yeah, very, very good character. A player that was signed just before I arrived as well, and he had a long-term injury as well, and he didn't get that many minutes, but it's good to see him doing really well and that's it, and all the players that have been with us, wish them all the best.
on the penalty appeal involving Havertz against Everton:
Watching it live, very disappointed that we didn't get a penalty because it was very clear.
on if Odegaard is in contention to be available for Sunday:
So we're really pushing, he really wants to try to be available, but we'll have to wait and see in the next few days when he trains with the team how he feels. We know the game that we're going to be playing in a few days again, and the more players that we have the better.
on if heโs able to enjoy these months:
Yeah, I love those moments, and when the team needs help and the crowd is pushing there, I think in any way that we can contribute, help, support the players, give them confidence and energy, we have to be there, and I think it makes a difference, and we noticed immediately the moment the crowd got more relaxed, more positive, the atmosphere changed and the players started to make better decisions and we managed to win the game.
on his emotions compared to previous title races:
Probably the will to win increases year by year when you've been so close as well, but yeah, stay focused, live the present, enjoy it as well, because we have to feel privileged where we are, and then obviously have that will, that bite to make it happen.
on if Timber might be available for the Carabao Cup final:
We don't know, I think with him it will be a matter of days, but not sure.
on if White is in a position to start big games:
Yeah, he's in a much better place. He's been very unlucky this season in certain moments. He had very good moments as well throughout the season, so yeah, we need everybody available. We know what Ben gives us when he's at his best, and he trained today. He feels good, so we need everybody's contribution.
on what we need to do better to attack the block:
Especially in the first half, and especially a lot of actions that we didn't even finish, and we allowed counter-attacks there, which is the worst thing that we can do against them as well. We will step up, we will make better decisions for sure, and be more of a threat in that intention.
on how much our recent experience in the Champions League can help tomorrow:
A lot of factors will contribute for us to be in the quarter-finals tomorrow night after the game, and we need to put every single element that we have to be in our favour to achieve that.
on if the instinct now is to keep playing Dowman:
Depending on the game and how he reacts, I think his reaction has been really positive, and in relation to what we need in the game, it's always a possibility.
on if heโs ready to play regularly:
Yeah, depending on what you call regularly.
on how Leverkusenโs midfield stifled our game plan last week:
Yeah, they have a lot of quality individually in a lot of areas of the pitch, and like every team, they have their strengths and their weaknesses. I will try to target them.
on Maduekeโs character in the big moments:
No, I think Noni's got the personality, especially when things are difficult, to step in and make aggressive decisions. He has the quality to deliver for sure.
