Mikel Arteta has been previewing Thursday's Champions Leageu clash between Atalanta vs Arsenal at the Gewiss Stadium.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference at Atalanta's ground on Wednesday evening, the Gunners boss fielded questions.

Read on for everything he had to say:

on whether it’s strange playing a Champions League game on a Thursday:

It’s different but here we are, playing in the Champions League on a Thursday night. It’s different but we’re really happy, motivated and enthusiastic for the first game. It’s a really tough place to come, they’ve built something amazing here and it was a beautiful story what they achieved last season. But for us, it is a new season and we really want to kick on in the right way.

on whether it’s a disadvantage ahead of Man City:

Hopefully not. We have so much energy from what happened on Sunday, it was great. We have recovered a few players which is very important for us as well, and we’re playing in a competition that we absolutely love, so we’re looking at the positives.

on Martin Odegaard’s injury:

After everything was scanned, they showed that there was some damage, especially in one of the ligaments in the ankle so we’re going to miss him. I don’t want to [put a timeframe on it] because I am not a doctor but it is something quite significant so we’re going to lose him for a while – hopefully not months but let’s see.

on whether anyone else is available:

Riccardo [Calafiori] was able to train today so he will be available. He’s in the squad and that’s great news because as we all know we’ve been quite short in the past few weeks.

on whether he’ll rotate ahead of Man City:

No we are in September so we have to put the players that we believe are the best to win tomorrow. That’s the most important and only thing for us.

on why we have been so successful in away matches in 2024:

Because if we want to be at the level that we want to be, we have to be really good on the road and at home, we have no choice! So we have to continue to be that consistent to get the results, as well as the performances that are going to get us the results. In Europe it is extremely tough to win, as it is in the Premier League. Hopefully we can be more effective than we were last season, especially in this competition. Small margins define results and we have to be really good at it.

on the differences between domestic and European away matches:

Obviously you don’t know the opponents as well and then the boxes become crucial. At this level, the small details and moments define the story of the competition and a game. The Premier League is a bit different; in Europe the teams are ruthless and you better be at your best and be very effective.

on if he’s confident he has the players to fill in for Odegaard while the captain is absent:

Yes but we have to show that. He’s our captain - he’s one of our biggest players. He’s been one of the most consistent players in the last two or three seasons. Our identity is very related to his way of playing and his way of behaving. We’re going to have to deal with [his absence] and that’s a great test for the team as well - how capable we are to show maybe a different face. The fact [is] we have other players and other options that can be very effective. 

on what the team have learnt from last season’s experience in the Champions League - and if they can take it into this campaign:

I hope so. That’s the aim. It was a great campaign for us. We got to a place that we hadn’t been as a club for 16 or 18 years. We weren’t happy or satisfied at all because we want more. They showed their hunger. I think we have the ability, we certainly have the quality - and now we have to prove it.

on if last season’s experiences have changed the manager’s thinking on how the team will approach playing in Europe:

I don’t know if it’s going to change. It depends on the opponents and the moment we are in. We learnt certain lessons and certain aspects we can do better. It’s as well being conscious that these are the top elite clubs in Europe and they know how to play and how to compete in games. 

on if the team is now better equipped to deal with pressure and hostile atmospheres:

Hopefully we have learned and we can show the composure, the determination and the belief that is very important at these stages. Tomorrow we know what we are going to be facing - and it’s going to be tough. But the team is ready and prepared.

on if players are being protected, with two extra Champions League fixtures:

I think the reason we changed the format was for all the football fans and all the people that love the sport - a better product, more entertainment. Now we have to deliver, especially the players have to deliver, so let’s see how it goes.

on if he’s been pleasantly surprised by how the team have started this season:

Yes, but I think this team has always reacted that way. The fact [was] we weren’t satisfied, we wanted more and we knew that we could be there. We had the level [but] we lost a few things on the way that didn’t allow us to be there. When you see a new opportunity, that’s the beautiful thing about sport.

on Bukayo Saka’s availability:

He was able to train today. He completed most of the session so he’s available. 

on when Mikel noticed the upturn in our away form:

I noticed game-by-game that the team is able to compete, to perform and actually get a result in very, very difficult stadiums in a really consistent way, and winning matches in different ways which I think is really important - you want to be consistent with the way we play away from home. Now we have to put those learnings into the Champions League, and show tomorrow that we can keep hold of doing that. 

on Atalanta’s playing style:

The club has an amazing story and what Gasperini has done is amazing. I have a big admiration for what he has done in his career, not only for Atalanta but for other clubs. He’s a very important figure and what they achieved last season was incredible and we’ll see how tomorrow goes!

on facing Gasperini with Manchester City:

It’s very difficult to play against them! They have a particular playing style which you see week-in, week-out  and it’s very challenging for opponents coming up against them. In the last two seasons, the Premier League has changed a lot, you’ve got a lot of squads that are doing similar things to them and we need to be prepared ahead of tomorrow.

on what sort of Atalanta team we’ll face:

I spoke with Riccardo and Jorgi as they know the team very well, they know the players and it’s always very important information to get a hold of. They’ve played in some great games against this squad during the last few seasons, and they’ve done very well. 

Very disappointing news from here at Atalanta’s ground in Bergamo with Mikel Arteta revealing that Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard suffered “significant” ligament damage when on duty with Norway. Arteta reticent to speculate on a return date pic.twitter.com/xPcpZJks8B

— Layth (@laythy29) September 18, 2024