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Mikel Arteta Opens Up About Disrupted Game Plan Ahead of Tottenham Win

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that he struggled to sleep ahead of their 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, citing injuries to his players during the international week as the reason. The win marked a crucial North London Derby triumph for the Gunners.

Arteta admitted that his original game plan was thrown off course due to the injuries, which saw key players Declan Rice suspended, along with Martin Ødegaard, Mikel Merino, and Riccardo Calafiori sidelined with injuries. Additionally, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney were also ruled out of the match.

Despite the setbacks, Arteta was able to adapt and guide his team to victory, with Gabriel Magalhaes’ 64th-minute header proving the decisive goal. "I didn’t enjoy [the preparation] because I didn’t sleep much," Arteta said, reflecting on the challenges he faced.

Arteta had spent four or five days preparing for the match, mapping out his strategy and preparing his players for the big occasion. However, the late-breaking news of the injuries forced him to rework his plan, using the players available to him to secure the win.

The win marked a significant statement from Arsenal, who demonstrated their resilience and ability to overcome adversity. As Arteta himself noted, it was a great challenge, but one that his team was able to overcome.

With the victory, Arsenal has sent a clear message to their rivals in the Premier League, showing that they are capable of digging deep and coming out on top even when faced with unexpected challenges.