'Avoid that term': Arteta brushes aside Arsenal quadruple chatter
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta brushed off discussions regarding a potential quadruple this season prior to Wednesdays Champions League round of 16 opening fixture against Bayer Leverkusen.
Addressing the media in Germany one day before the clash, Arteta fielded questions on the notable accomplishment yet emphasised he would keep his squad focused on the present.
"No. I do not use that phrase. I don't talk about it. I don't know what they talk about when I'm not there, but we all know the difficulty of every competition," Arteta said.
"We are changing from competition to competition every three days and so far we've done well so we need to continue to do that."
Leading the Premier League by seven points ahead of Manchester City, Arsenal topped the 36-team Champions League group standings as the only side to secure eight victories in eight outings.
The Gunners have advanced to the League Cup final against City and drawn Southampton for the FA Cup quarter-finals on Monday.
In recent terms, Arsenal have experienced late stumbles in the title chase and fell to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain during the Champions League semi-finals last year.
Arteta explained that insights gained from prior campaigns are steering their efforts this time around.
"You learn about the things you did well and the reason why you were there, and the things you can improve.
"But every game and every time will be so specific and it can be difficult to replicate. You can have sets of memories, but you have to apply your learnings in that moment. And that window is very small."
Havertz return
Arteta confirmed that sidelined skipper Martin Odegaard remains unavailable for the encounter, though Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori should feature despite their early withdrawals at the weekend.
Arsenals Kai Havertz is fit to participate and marks his first return to his boyhood club, departing Leverkusen for Chelsea following ten years with the outfit in 2020.
"It's amazing," Havertz said. "I've already seen a lot of familiar faces and a lot of memories are coming up. Coming back to my childhood club is amazing and I can't wait for the game tomorrow."
Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes credited the transfer sum from Havertz as the bedrock enabling their inaugural Bundesliga triumph with an unbeaten league and cup double in 2023-24, yet Havertz waved away the notion.
"I don't have a part in it at all. I feel very honoured he said that, and I'm very grateful. I've spoken to him, but the whole success goes to the team two years ago.
"The coaches, the players, the fans. Everyone. They deserved it. I knew when I was here how much this club deserved a title."