With hours remaining of the January transfer window, what business does Mikel Arteta expect us to do?
Our manager was quizzed at length by the media on Monday morning, and this is what he told them about potential signings or departures:
on whether there could be any deadline-day incomings...
The last day of the transfer window is always unpredictable so things can happen. They might happen, they might not happen. We are on it.
on potential outgoings...
We have decided [who could leave on loan today] and we are working on it. You will find out before 11pm.
on Ainsley Maitland-Niles...
I don't know, I cannot speak about any individual players. What we want to do, the conversations we've had, the various reasons... let's see if we can get something done tonight.
on whether Maitland-Niles will be a loan departure or permanent...
Again, I cannot talk about any individual players and what our plans are for them for now or the future.
on how he sums up his transfer business…
I can’t answer that question until probably after tonight because there are things to do to get done.
on whether he likes deadline day…
Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t! It is what it is, at least when you know what you want to do, what you want to achieve, it is easier. Hopefully we won’t have any bad surprises and we can control what we want to do.
on players who could leave…
You mention a few players, so you have a better chance. The more you mention, the greater the chance you have to get it right! Again, we are discussing things with some players and some clubs, and if we do anything before the deadline, it is because we believe it is the right thing for their development.
on whether this feels like his squad now…
We had some priorities that we wanted to get done, we have managed to have some done, some others we haven’t yet, so let’s wait and see how things develop today and what we are able to do, and what we aren’t.
on whether he’s surprised Edu has managed to get so many deals done…
I think he is doing a great job at the club since I joined, the clarity that he showed when they came to try to convince me to join the club and then to stick to the plan we have and the way he is going about it, I am really impressed with him.
on whether there will be any issues with numbers for the PL and EL squads…
It will depend on what happens today, we will have to make a decision probably which we want to delay as much as possible but it will have to be done.
on whether any high-profile players will be left out like last time…
Hopefully not!
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