Arteta: This is Havertz's best position, and I'm happy to be nominated for best coach

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta appeared at a press conference to discuss tomorrow's clash against Sunderland in the 4th round of the English Premier League at the Stadium of Light.

The coach stated in an interview: "Havertz's best position is what the match requires and what the team needs on that day, to be as efficient as possible. Kai is incredibly intelligent, and that is his greatest attribute. He is five seconds ahead of the game, and he always makes those around him better. He scores goals, creates chances, and his work rate is exceptional, and he is in a fantastic emotional state."

Regarding the possibility of retaining the Premier League title, Mikel Arteta stressed the importance of focusing on the next match, saying: "We need to focus on the upcoming game. We experienced last season how difficult the match we will play tomorrow is, and it's great to play such matches. We have prepared, and we are ready for tomorrow to be on the pitch and compete as we always do, to be better than the opponent and try to win the match."

He added: "Last year we dropped points there in the last minute, after the match ended in a 2-2 draw, and we learned a lot from that game."

Mikel Arteta also spoke about how Arsenal handled the delayed flight before their Champions League match against Napoli midweek, confirming that the team intentionally trains for such circumstances. He said: "I love these challenges. I try to create them during the pre-season, arriving at different times, so that we have already experienced it when it happens. You might miss a flight, or the train might be delayed, but I don't want the players or coaching staff to panic when that happens; I want them to adapt to it. But don't complain and don't use it as an excuse, because that is not helpful at all."

He added regarding his plan to deal with travel issues: "We delay meal times, we delay transport, we take a different route, we make the dressing room warmer, and we provide fewer beds, because we will have to adapt, and thus there is no element of surprise on match day, which is important."

Speaking about Arsenal players' nominations for the Ballon d'Or, Arteta said: "This says a lot about the status the club has reached at the moment and the quality of work being done. I think the consistency we have shown in performance levels has played a clear role. Then these individual rewards come because the team is doing amazing work together, and it is good to see that they have turned that into major trophies, and that is what matters."

Regarding his nomination for the Best Coach award, he said: "It's not in my hands, but it's certainly a great honour to be among the nominees. The Ballon d'Or? I don't have the right to vote, so I will leave it to the specialists."

Mikel Arteta discussed the possibility of seven Arsenal players being called up to the England squad during the upcoming international break, saying: "Let's see first what Thomas [Tuchel] decides, and then we can talk about it. I am very happy with our players, with the diversity we have within the team, the balance in the group, and especially the different personalities and qualities that we have managed to bring together."

Regarding the importance of English players within Arsenal, he confirmed: "They are very important, not just within the team, but also within the coaching staff and the club, to ensure that this culture and these roots are very clear, and that they are closely linked to our identity and values."

Arteta praised the quick adaptation of defender Ezri Konsa after his move from Aston Villa, saying: "It is definitely something to admire, as it is not easy at all, and it should not be taken for granted. But after speaking to many people who have worked with him, whether they were coaching staff or players, I already had a sense from the way everyone spoke about him that he is someone who knows how to bring people together, has a real personality, and a lot of leadership skills. I saw that from day one, through the way he trains, the way he speaks, and presents himself. It has been very impressive, and so far he has done a really good job."