Overview

• Pep Guardiola downplayed the tight schedule after Thursday’s Champions League win over Napoli, joking about a mountain hike and stressing rest while noting his squad has injuries.
• Mikel Arteta said Saka, Odegaard and White have not trained this week and will be assessed after Saturday’s session, while Viktor Gyokeres is available following stitches from a head clash.
• Arteta said Arsenal have learned from Myles Lewis‑Skelly’s mock Haaland celebration last season, acknowledging the recent flashpoints that have heated the fixture.
• Highlighting the tactical battle, Arteta praised Gabriel Magalhaes’ appetite for physical defending, casting him as central to containing Erling Haaland in Sunday’s game.
• Arsenal confirmed vice‑chair Tim Lewis has left the board this week, as Guardiola simultaneously praised Arteta’s work and made a pointed remark about Arsenal’s recent spending.