Arteta confirms who will take charge of Arsenal’s next game

The Gunners will be without their manager in the New Year’s Day clash with Manchester City as he recovers from COVID-19.

Albert Stuivenberg will take over from Mikel Arteta in Arsenal’s match against Manchester City on New Year’s Day.

The 51-year-old Dutchman, who worked as an assistant to Louis van Gaal for two years at Manchester United, has held a similar role under Arteta since the Spaniard took charge of Arsenal in December 2019.

He will now lead the Gunners on Saturday to face Premier League leaders City after Arteta tested positive for coronavirus earlier in the week.

Fellow assistant Steve Round, however, remains a doubt after missing the 5-0 Boxing Day win at Norwich. That said, Arteta was able to report that there have been no new positive cases in his playing squad.

“Albert will be in charge with the rest of the team and depending on who of the coaches are available because we had so many issues in that department recently,” said the 39-year-old as per Football London. “Everybody will be there trying to help as much as possible.

“The rest of the squad is in a good place. We tested the players, we don’t have any other new ones other than the ones we had before.”

Arteta conducting his press conference while self-isolating with Covid-19. Fair play to him for doing this because he doesn’t look or sound 100pc. Confirms Albert Stuivenberg will lead the team in the dugout tomorrow but rest of coaching staff uncertain due to tests. pic.twitter.com/fusWvRFKPM

— James Olley (@JamesOlley) December 31, 2021

Arteta is feeling better, confirms Aubameyang absence

Despite suffering ‘a couple of rough days’ after testing positive for COVID-19, Arteta conducted a press conference from his home as he continues to self-isolate and told reporters he feels better.

On his illness, he said: “I feel much, much better today. I had a couple of rough days but obviously I have experienced this before, so not bad at all.”

Arteta also confirmed that he allowed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will join the Gabon squad for AFCON after the Panthers wrote him a letter asking for permission.

“We had a letter from the [Gabon] national team asking permission to get the player,” he said. “The player wasn’t going to be involved today so for his fitness it was the right thing to do.”