Arteta focused on Crystal Palace, not Conte’s mind games 

Arsenal Mikel Arteta refuses to be drawn into Antonio Conte’s mind games — but admits that he is happy to use psychological tricks of his own to motivate his Arsenal players in the battle for fourth place.

The Tottenham Hotspur head coach has tried to put pressure on his side’s north London rivals by claiming that Arsenal are favourites to finish in a Champions League qualifying place, saying that it would be a “miracle” were his side to do so.

After Spurs’ win over Newcastle United yesterday they are level on points with Arsenal, having played two games more.

Tottenham have more favourable fixtures on paper and also have to host Arsenal in a rearranged game that is expected to take place in the penultimate week of the season. Arsenal have to play Chelsea and Manchester United in the space of four days this month.

“I don’t know,” Arteta said, when asked if he was feeling pressure from Conte. “That is a question for him.

 “But what we want to do is very clear, and the perception of what people think is not going to change it. I do it [mind games] more with my players, I think. I do it more with the players, if I have to. To get what I want from them.”

When asked to elaborate on his approach, he said: “No, because they will know what they are doing and that is the whole point.

One example may be found in the way Arteta has had to keep Bernd Leno on side, having dropped the goalkeeper after losing the opening three league matches and conceding nine times.

Leno was brought back for his first league game since in the 1-0 win away to Aston Villa before the international break, because Aaron Ramsdale had a hip injury. Ramsdale trained on Saturday but there is doubt over whether he will be fit for the game away to Crystal Palace on Monday.

Arteta said that he understands the frustration of Leno, who is expected to leave when he enters the final year of his contract in the summer, as Arsenal have a deal in place to sign Matt Turner, the New England Revolution and United States goalkeeper.

“Another factor is the environment, because it’s not only the player — it is his family, his father, his nan, his agent, saying, ‘Why you aren’t playing, I don’t agree.’ They all want the best for that player. We want the best, so if we play somebody else it’s because we believe it’s better for the team. It cannot be taken personally.

“When I didn’t play when younger, you never understand the reason, you’ll never agree. When you’re on the other side of the table the picture changes completely.”