Quotes

'I'll be so pleased to see Eriksen play again'

It's not often that an opposing player gets a positive reception from opposing fans in the Premier League - but that's exactly what Mikel Arteta would like to see on Saturday.

Christian Eriksen could make his on-pitch return for the first time since suffering a cardiac arrest playing for Denmark in last summer's European Championship - although Brentford manager Thomas Frank believes the game will come too soon for him.

But whenever the creative midfielder does return, Mikel Arteta hopes he receives a rapturous reception.

"It would be incredible [to see him back]," he said. "I remember where I was when that happened [when Eriksen collapsed] and straight away the reaction that you get, it was awful.

"It’s great news, thanks to the doctors first of all and the medical team that they saved his life probably on the day and I cannot imagine what it meant to his family, but I am sure they will be anxious, but for the football industry, I think it’s great news.

"He’s someone that has done incredibly well in this country, he left a big mark when he left and now he has the opportunity to come back and play.

"I hope [there will be a positive reception] understanding what happened and where he was a few months ago. I would like to see that.

"It’s obviously something very personal, but from my side that would be the way that I would react to him. I will be so pleased to see him again on a football pitch."