Arteta hails Saliba's leadership ahead of Arsenal's trip to Lens

Arsenal could face a warning from UEFA over their cancelled Champions League press conference on Monday evening. Mikel Arteta was expected to speak to the media at 6pm UK time but the in-person briefing was scrapped due to a late flight. Instead, reporters had to speak to Arteta over the phone.

The Gunners were stuck at Luton Airport as a storm prevented them from taking off for France on time. They did eventually begin their journey some five hours later their expected but Arteta’s press conference was pushed back. 

Arteta finally got to speak to the media via a phone link but UEFA might still take a dim view of the delay – despite it not being Arsenal’s fault. The governing body has a strict protocol around press conferences that clubs must adhere to. 

Media briefings must take place between noon and 8pm local time the day before a team’s European clash. Arsenal face Lens tomorrow in their second group stage game. 

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Clubs face warnings for a first offence. It is understood that fines are then dished out for repeated breaches of the rules. Express Sport expect Arsenal to simply receive a warning.

Newcastle were similarly warned last month after Eddie Howe held his press conference later than scheduled ahead of his side’s group match against AC Milan. The Magpies were still in the air flying to Milan when Howe’s meeting with the media was scheduled. 

Manchester United fell foul of the rules a few days later as Erik ten Hag arrived over 25 minutes late for his press conference to preview the Red Devils’ clash with Bayern Munich. It is not believed that the English clubs have received anything more than a warning. 

Arsenal face Lens hoping to continue an unbeaten start to the season. The north Londoners thrashed PSV 4-0 in their first Champions League match in six years last month, and are in excellent form in domestic competitions. 

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A 4-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday maintained Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign, winning five of their seven matches. They are also through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup and won the Community Shield in August. 

“What I feel is that I am grateful we have won the game and that is the only thing that we can control. Now, I am just thinking on that bus how we are going to prepare for Lens,” Arteta said on Saturday. 

“It is going to be a really tough match away from home on Tuesday to try to win it, and City will be the next step.

“It is taking a lot of good things and move them for Tuesday, and again try to make the decision with the line-up and the squad to maintain that we are showing.”

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