UCL: Arteta Warns Arsenal of Tough Lille Test, Explains Team Selection

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has warned his players to expect a difficult encounter against Lille in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League clash, while explaining how he approaches team selection and the importance of earning another chance to reach the final.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday, Arteta praised Lille’s organisation and competitiveness under coach Davide, noting that the French side had caused problems for several top teams.

READ ALSO: Arsenal Lose Hincapie, Zubimendi to Injuries Ahead of Lille Clash

According to a report published on Arsenal’s official website, titled “Every word from Mikel Arteta’s pre-Lille presser,” the Spaniard urged his players to be fully prepared for the challenge at the Emirates Stadium.

“What Davide has done is, I think, remarkable. You can just see the way that they are competing and playing and the problems that they have caused to big teams, and tomorrow is not going to be different until we are ready for it,” Arteta said.

The Arsenal manager also explained that his starting XI is influenced by how he expects a match to unfold, including the potential impact of substitutes in the closing stages.

Arteta said he sometimes chooses players based on their ability to help finish games strongly, adding that Arsenal would make use of the options available on the bench.

“Sometimes I’m going to pick a team or players in relation to what I expect, especially at the beginning, that can finish the game, because that’s where most of the games are decided, at this level as well, and we have the bench and the players that are capable of doing that, and we’re going to use, obviously, that resource,” he said.

Arteta Reminds Arsenal of Challenge Ahead

The Spaniard also stressed that Arsenal would have to work hard to earn another opportunity to compete for the Champions League trophy following their appearance in last season’s final.

He urged his players to appreciate how difficult it was to reach that stage and focus on overcoming the challenges ahead.

“That you’re going to have to earn the right to get in that position again. We know how tough it is and how many times we’ve done it in the history of our club. So first of all, realise that, and tomorrow we’re going to have a really tough opponent in front of us,” he said.

Arteta reiterated his respect for Lille, insisting that Arsenal must be ready for a demanding contest.

Arteta Praises Giroud’s Intelligence

Arteta also praised former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, recalling the Frenchman’s contribution to the club and his qualities as a teammate.

The Arsenal manager described Giroud as a great character who brought a different attacking dimension to the team after joining from Montpellier, where he had won the French Ligue 1 title.

Asked whether Giroud had been underrated during his time at Arsenal, Arteta said the striker had been highly appreciated by his teammates and former manager Arsène Wenger.

“Not for his teammates for sure or Arsene [Wenger] in this case. I don’t know the rest. But he was extremely intelligent first and he was really, really a handful. Every time you had him on the pitch, you had a massive threat inside the box,” he said.

Arteta also highlighted Giroud’s link-up play and work rate, describing him as an effective presence in Arsenal’s attack.

“He was so good at connecting with other players as well and his work rate was phenomenal, so certainly not [underrated] by us,” he added.

Arsenal face Lille on Tuesday as they continue their Champions League campaign, with Arteta calling on his players to approach the encounter with the focus and determination required to overcome a well-organised opponent.