Mikel Arteta press conference: Arsenal v Crystal Palace

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Sunday’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

Defender Gabriel Magalhaes is a doubt for the game after departing early from Tuesday’s win over Atletico Madrid, with Arteta stating: “Big Gabby had to leave the pitch against Atletico Madrid with an issue and we will have to wait over the next 24 hours to see if he is available.”
On the availability of long-term absentees Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard: “None are available in the next week or so.”
On the possibility of challenging Chelsea’s record of only conceding 15 league goals in a season: “Those kind of records bring silverware at the end and the trophies that we want. The more we can produce, the closer we will be.”
More on his side’s strong defence: “The teams with the best defensive records most of the time, except the past three seasons, normally win the league – so the stats go against us.”
Arteta revealed that 10 years go he started thinking about the importance of set-piece goals in football and he is not convinced that the goals will dry up from set pieces: “I don’t see football like open play and set pieces. I see the game in a different way. We have given that part of the game the importance it deserves. We have to maximise things we have and be effective.”
On Eberechi Eze playing against his former side: “It will be a special match for what he did for Palace but the focus is on the team.”