Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking ahead of the Gunners trip across the captial to take on West Ham in East London on Saturday. 

The boss was asked about the latest team news, his thoughts on West Ham, the Premier League title race and much more.

Read on for everything Arteta had to say on the following subjects.

On team news:Not a lot because we have another training session, we have to see how the boys are today. A few weren’t able to train yesterday but hopefully today so we have to wait and see.

On Gabriel:Wait and see. I can’t [give you an update], not because I don’t want to.

On the response since the international break:I don’t link character to winning, this team showed unbelievable character against Inter and we lost, showed unbelievable character against Chelsea, we were the better team, we didn’t manage to win. Same players, same intentions, being more efficient and winning matches, that’s the difference.

On his relationship with Lopetegui:I know him, we are friends, I have huge admiration for what he has done in the game. He is from the same area as I am in the north of Spain. It’s a team that’s now in a high after the big win that they had against Newcastle away and it’s always a really tough opponent, we know that.

On whether we need to be near-perfect to catch Liverpool:Well if they continue that way, that’s for sure. The numbers they’re producing, the number of games they’re winning. But again, it’s just the focus is on us and maintaining the consistency, especially in performances that’s going to give us the right to win a lot of games, keep the availability in the squad, keep everybody together and this is a long run.

On whether he will be watching Liverpool v Manchester City:100%, it’s a big match, beautiful match to watch, two of the best teams in Europe facing each other and competition for us, it’s a big one.

On who he wants to win:Yes, Arsenal tomorrow, that’s the preference. Then we will see. It’s something we cannot control.

On only one of the next 13 games being outside of London:Less travelling is always better. It is crazy that we have that many games so close to us and I think it helps because of the amount of games we have to play in that period is very high as well.

On whether Lewis-Skelly could get a chance in midfield:That’s an option, he can play in three different positions, he can play as a holding, he can play as a left attacking midfielder so yes, gaps for him.

On whether the plan is to always build up on the right:Not always, it’s in relation to the opponent, in relation to the chemistry  and the qualities of our players. In relation to the opponent we will do different things.

On West Ham’s strengths:Various ways to create big problems. They are a really physical side, really good in direct play, attacking second balls where they have to dominate the game through the ball. Or when they have the space they are a really dangerous team. Set pieces, and then individual quality they have, the front players can create in any moment any situation to cause you trouble. They are really well coached.

On the feeling among the players:Really good. Obviously winning lifts the energy and the confidence up. They were two big wins for us and now it’s about consistency., getting that momentum we are in and taking it even further against a really good opponent tomorrow and try to replicate the performance to win the game.

On whether momentum is building:I think so, but this is every three days, so it doesn’t matter what you did yesterday, it’s about the next days, the next performance. Are you able to sustain high level performance throughout the game as well because of how competitive every opponent is right now, and that’s what we will try to do tomorrow.

On Odegaard’s performances:The way he prepares himself, how much work he put in with the physios and all the medical department to get in the best possible condition to face the period and importance of the season we are in at the moment. And to hit the ground running. He was exceptional since the Chelsea game, and he’s been very consistent in the last few games.

On whether Odegaard makes his life easier:Yes, good players who are so consistent and reliable, they can take the game to a different level and make the players around him better. That’s a huge quality of Martin and yes, he’s been missed. 

On Saliba reaching 100 appearances:At his age, the consistency and quality of performances is incredible. It’s not easy, it’s a really tricky position to play in this league. He has created a really magnificent partnership as well and big credit as well to big Gabi for that, because I think he’s really important for him to be able to play at the level he’s done. And yes, he’s a great player to have obviously. 

On Timber’s form:Yes, and that level as well. We know what he can produce, he’s a player with exceptional qualities, a lot of leadership. You see the courage, and the intention and purpose that he plays with. That’s very contagious. He’s a player that still has many layers and levels to go so I’m very happy to have him.

On Sterling’s reaction to not coming on Tuesday (after Gabriel got injured):He had a smile on his face, fortunately for me. Things happen in football, unfortunately it happened to him and he reacted the best possible way, which is understanding. He’s been a long time in the game and he knows that this is something I cannot control.

On how that move has gone so far:I would like to see him more to be fair and this is down to me. He’s trying his best. His application and commitment around the team has been exceptional and now it’s time for me to five I’m more minutes.

On whether we will see more from Sterling in this run:That’s the intention. That’s why I put him on against Forest, that’s why I wanted to put him on against Sporting, now getting into that rhythm because he can really impact the team as well.

On what he has made of Manchester City’s recent form:What I’ve made of it is what they’ve done for nine years. I think that’s what people have to talk about - how difficult it is what they’ve done for nine years consistently. A bump, everybody has a bump. For them it’s very strange because in nine years they never had it. That tells you as well the level and environment that we’re in, that everything has to go almost perfect. The performance has to be perfect, the ability of your squad has to be perfect, things have to go your way. The level of the opposition is different and it’s so hard to win.

On whether their run has given everyone else an opportunity:I don’t know, I think everybody is dealing with their own business. We have enough, it’s so hard. What the rest are doing doesn’t really matter now.

On whether the top two facing each other on Sunday makes the West Ham game even more important:It’s a motivation to win our game because that would put us, watching the game on Sunday, in a much better position. That’s the task.

On how he relaxes after a game:I don’t know, I think wining always helps to decompress in the right way! Sometimes it takes a few hours, depending on the performance or the feeling after the game. It can take a few days. It’s normal, there’s a lot of emotion. We’re so passionate and loving about what we do. We care a lot about what we do and want to do it at our best and that’s why the emotion plays a big part of that.

On whether he slept will after the Sporting game:We got back quite late, so not a lot of hours, but quite deep I think.

On whether he reaches out to Guardiola:That’s something very personal but I feel a lot of sympathy for all my colleagues because I know the job, how ruthless this industry is and how we get judged just by one thing - results. Regardless if you do exactly the same thing and the outcome becomes different. We have to deal with that, I know how difficult it is because personally I’ve been through that a lot and every defeat obviously is super painful and that’s it. Just put some perspective into it like we always do and move on because there’s always another game.

On whether he has looked into injury problems:There was a big difference between the end of last season and the previous one - availability. You can tell that. We do research, not only when we have injuries but when we don’t as well because people tend to look deeper at things when there’s a problem, not when everything is going very good. Dig in there because maybe you are doing things that are actually impacting what is happening. We’ve done a lot. Not changing much, it’s true that certain players come from a position where they’ve played over 130 games in two seasons, but a lot of things have been impacts on joints, which are not related to muscle injuries which you can treat more. It’s more difficult to control, I think.

On discussing a new contract with Partey:We will have the right time to discuss this situation. He’s showing consistency at the highest level, again because his availability and the way he feels physically is allowing him to do that and I’m pleased with that.