Arsenal Manager Hopes World Cup Break Won’t Disrupt Momentum
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he is hoping the Qatar 2022 World Cup break does not disrupt the north London club’s momentum, after the Gunners defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 at the Molineux Stadium, taking a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Captain Martin Odegaard scored both goals as Arsenal beat Wolves to record 37 points, extending its lead over second-placed Manchester City, who lost 2-1 at home to Brentford earlier in the day.
There will be a mid-season break after Sunday’s fixtures to accommodate the World Cup, which runs from November 20th – December 18th in Qatar. The league will resume on Boxing Day.
“I would train tomorrow but unfortunately they’re not here,” Arteta said in an interview. “I wish those going to the World Cup the best and they will look after themselves. I hope they enjoy it because it doesn’t get better than playing for your country.”
“I don’t know (if the World Cup will disrupt flow), I’ll touch wood and hope for the best. When everyone is back we’ll assess where we are and go from there.”
Despite his concerns over the mid-season break, Arteta added that it would provide Arsenal an opportunity to reflect and prepare for the second half of the season.
“It’s great to be where we are and we are enjoying that moment,” Arteta added. “Now we have a big break and we have to reflect on what we’re doing and be prepared for after the World Cup.”
“When a team is in that moment you want to carry on playing of course, but that’s not possible. We have to use that time as best as possible.”
Arsenal return to action when they host West Ham United in the Premier League on December 26th.
Premier League results
Manchester City 1-2 Brentford
AFC Bournemouth 3-0 Everton
Liverpool 3-1 Southampton
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Crystal Palace
Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 Leeds United
West Ham United 0-2 Leicester City
Newcastle United 1-0 Chelsea
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-2 Arsenal.
Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.
