Mikel Arteta has now opened up about the challenges that he faced in preparing for the North London Derby.
Arsenal were triumphant in Sunday’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
Mikel Arteta’s side were able to secure a 1-0 win on the road against Spurs, courtesy of a second half Gabriel Magalhaes header.
This victory meant that Arteta’s side have beaten Spurs away from home three times in a row, a feat that even Arsene Wenger never achieved in his time at the helm.
However, this was not an easy game for Arsenal, as Spurs had chances themselves, nor was there anything straightforward about the build-up.
Arsenal are currently enduring something of an injury crisis. The likes of Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Calafiori, and Mikel Merino, amongst others, were all absent for this clash. Oleksandr Zinchenko also picked up a late injury.
On top of that, Declan Rice was also sidelined with a suspension.
Mikel Arteta reveals North London Derby preparation woes
Speaking after the match, as quoted by the official Arsenal website, Arteta discussed how he coped with the absences afflicting his squad.
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The Spanish coach said: “I didn’t enjoy it because I didn’t sleep much. I looked at Spurs for four or five days. I had a super clear plan, how to do it.
“I prepared everything, the session, the meeting, etc, and then one news, we lose a player. Another news, we lose another player. Another news, we lose a player. So I had to completely change it.
“I liked the plan for the players that we had available, so it was a great challenge.”
How Arsenal adapted against Tottenham Hotspur
Arteta was forced to ring the changes against Spurs. Leandro Trossard moved infield, operating as a playmaker in the absence of Odegaard. The Belgian impressed in this role, carving out a number of chances, including one particularly enticing opportunity that Gabriel Martinelli was criticised for wasting.
Meanwhile, Jorginho and Thomas Partey started together in the middle of the park for the first time ever, and whilst they struggled to cope with the pace of the game at times, the duo’s experience saw them through the match.
All in all, Arteta deserves huge credited for concocting a successful game plan in such trying circumstances.