Antonio Conte press conference: North London derby; Son on free-kicks; Richarlison support
By Sean Walsh
Antonio Conte has addressed the media ahead of Tottenham's trip to Arsenal in the north London derby on Saturday.
Spurs head to the Emirates Stadium as one of only two teams still unbeaten in the Premier League this season.
Conte's men will go top with a win at the home of their bitter rivals. Here's what the Italian had to say at his press conference.
North London derby team news
Hugo Lloris had a thigh injury and Dejan Kulusevski is said to have a hamstring problem, what's the latest on their returns?
"We have to wait tomorrow to check some players because they returned from the national team with some physical problems. Tomorrow will be very important to understand the players we can count on.
"Honestly I don't want to speak about the injuries because I don't want to give advantage to Arsenal, yeah? But for sure we have to face some problems, some physical problems and we have to know also we have just started to play the first game in a run that we have to play 13 games in 43 days. For sure we have to try to make the best solution and not take big risks. If we take big risks and lose players for the rest of the games, it will be a disaster. To play with three games I need to count on the whole squad."
Could Tottenham switch to a 3-5-2 against Arsenal?
"For sure it can be a good option because we have midfields who can play as a three. [Yves] Bissouma when he came in against Leicester he played well and he is really well integrated with Pierre [Hojbjerg] and [Rodrigo] Bentancur. Yeah this could be an option, not only for tomorrow but for the future because if we need to give rest to other players, especially when you have this type of situation that happened with Kulusevski having a problem."
What have you made of Arsenal's start to the season?
"You know very well that these eight games we are going to play [before the World Cup], we have just started this league. For sure, Arsenal had a fantastic start, they lost only one game against [Manchester] United. They are showing to be a really good team. I think in the summer they made good signings for them and improved the team that, don't forget, last season in the last three games they were four points up on us. It means we are talking about a really good team and that last season we did a really good job to overcome them in the last three games.
"But at the same time I know thee quality of this team. I know they have been working with [Mikel] Arteta for many years. They are really well organised. Arteta showed for me last season that he's a really good coach. He's young but in front of him he can have a great career.
"We know Arsenal is one of the six teams that try to take the best position in the Premier League."
Son Heung-min on free-kicks
Son scored another free-kick while with South Korea, could he take them for Tottenham?
"Yeah but Son is one of the three players who have the task to take set pieces. We have him, Harry [Kane] and Eric Dier. For sure now he has great confidence because he scored."
Racial abuse aimed at Richarlison
Richarlison scored three goals for Brazil in the last week, but after his strike on Monday he had a banana thrown his way, is it time for players to make a stand against racism? Do FIFA need to do more?
"I think we have to take the good part of the situation. Richy played with the national team, scored goals and then what happened is incredible because in 2022 to witness this type of situation is embarrassing for everybody.
"For sure I hope these people are banned from football for the rest of their lives. Then it's a very disappointing situation to have to make a comment on this. I want to take the best part of the game from Richy. He scored goals and he enjoyed playing with Brazil."
