Arsenal star reveals hilarious truth behind Mikel Arteta's injury mind games
- Arteta often accused of exaggerating extent of player injuries
- Bukayo Saka the latest player to start despite public concerns from Gunners boss
- Oleksandr Zinchenko reveals Arteta's approach to injury doubts
By Tom Gott
Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko has admitted manager Mikel Arteta "plays games" when it comes to public comments on player injuries.
The Gunners boss has been accused of exaggerating the extent of fitness doubts in his squad, with the spotlight increasing after Bukayo Saka started last month's meeting with Liverpool just days after Arteta claimed he was "very uncertain" to play at all.
Writing in his book, Believe, Zinchenko opened up on the extent to which Arteta looks to bewilder opposition managers.
"[Arteta] likes to play games with the opposition," he wrote. "I've seen him tell injured players to come on the team bus and walk into the dressing room with their wash bag, to put the other manager off the scent."
Arteta was quizzed on his use of Saka and, while he denied lying to the media, he confessed he was happy to make life difficult for his opponents.
"I don't want to make it easy for anyone," the Arsenal boss explained. "The opponent has to make sure they do their homework - like I have to.
"When I know, I am not going to lie to you, I am not going to say, 'He's not fit' and then I play him - I would never do that - but, if I am certain or I don't want to tell you, I will keep you guessing."
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