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The Independent UK

Sport

Sports Staff

Arsenal news: Everything Unai Emery said in his press conference ahead of Saturday's Huddersfield match

The Premier League’s hectic Christmas calendar starts now. Just one day after Arsenal’s exciting 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford, Unai Emery will face the press at London Colney to preview the club’s weekend clash with struggling Huddersfield.

In a busy afternoon, Emery suggested that Matteo Guendouzi should get his hair cut after Marouane Fellaini pulled it back at Old Trafford.

There were also updates on Rob Holding and Mesut Ozil's injuries. Scroll through the live blog below to see everything Emery said.

2018-12-06T11:48:04.323Z

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the very latest Arsenal news.

The Gunners drew with Manchester United yesterday and Unai Emery will be appearing in front of the press later this afternoon to preview their next game, Saturday's visit of Huddersfield.

2018-12-06T11:49:06.360Z

We expect there will be a further update on Rob Holding, who sustained what appeared to be a nasty looking injury yesterday.

Arsenal braced for 'worst news' over Rob Holding injury

2018-12-06T12:03:27.000Z

A point at Old Trafford is never a poor result, but Arsenal will have departed from London knowing they had blown the opportunity to seal a second morale-boosting win and retain their spot in the top four.

Here's Miguel Delaney's match report from Manchester:

Chaotic encounter leaves us still wondering about both United and Arsenal

2018-12-06T12:18:27.000Z

Lucas Torreira was again impressive last night, but has admitted that Unai Emery wants him to change one important part of his game.

Lucas Torreira reveals Unai Emery wants him to attack more

2018-12-06T12:39:27.000Z

It is not too long ago that encounters between Arsenal and Manchester United represented the apex of English football - relentless attacking play, all-out aggression but above all else, quality.

What, then, to make of this - a chaotic 2-2 draw that was defined by two teams in transition, profiting from each other's mistakes? Nobody ever expected the late 1990s to early 2000s peak from this 2018 edition, though it demonstrated how far both sides have to go to reach those heights.

For the first time since the summer of 1986, neither Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger were watching this fixture from one of the two dugouts, allowing us to simultaneously take in two very different re-builds.

Two transitioning dynasties profit from each other’s mistakes

2018-12-06T12:59:27.000Z

One question remains over the game last night: just how happy with the point should Arsenal be?

Jose Mourinho cannot escape the facts of just how bad United are

2018-12-06T13:18:27.000Z

What could have been...

Kylian Mbappe reveals how Arsene Wenger reacted to his failed Arsenal transfer

2018-12-06T13:33:27.000Z

Arsenal shouldn't have too much problem seeing off Huddersfield ... should they?

Here's how the relegation strugglers got on last time out.

Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser combine again to continue Cherries charge

2018-12-06T13:54:27.000Z

Unai Emery is expected in the media room at London Colney shortly, perhaps even in the next hour. Which gives you just about enough time to dive into the complexities of this piece, written by Jack Pitt-Brooke.

Can the Premier League survive Brexit?

2018-12-06T14:15:27.000Z

We should get some clarification from Emery soon, but here is out Arsenal predicted line-up for the game on Saturday given the injuries they have recently sustained.

Arsenal predicted XI: Leno; Bellerin, Mustafi, Sokratis, Kolasinac; Xhaka, Torreira; Iwobi, Ozil, Aubameyang; Lacazette.

Surely Ozil has to start a game again soon?!

2018-12-06T14:41:27.000Z

How bad is Rob Holding's injury?

It remains to be seen, but Arsenal are braced for the worst.

Arsenal braced for 'worst news' over Rob Holding injury

2018-12-06T15:07:30.890Z

Unai Emery reveals all

Emery refused to place individual blame on Kolasinac and instead praised his overall performance at Old Trafford

What Unai Emery told Sead Kolasinac after his mistake against United

2018-12-06T16:00:55.686Z

Looking back, how would you assess the Man United game?

"This is a very big challenge this week. We are going to finish Saturday abasing Huddersfield. At the moment we have a good feeling after a good result, but we needed to close with a victor on Saturday.

"It’s important first, the supporters fl a good situation in the games against Tottenham and Manchester United, away it’s a big challenge for us. We drew beck we worked to win and with a little more luck, we could have won the match. Now our focus is all on Huddersfield and the three points. It’s a team that are very well organised.

"They played in Bournemouth, hey lost but played well. They won at [Wolves] and every team has good players and organisation here in the PL. We need the same spirit as on Sunday. Every supporter needs to feel that with us, and push like they pushed against Tottenham. This draw yesterday is only good if we win against Huddersfield."

2018-12-06T16:04:39.860Z

20 games unbeaten - what does that say about your team?

"We only think about the next match and prepare as well as possible. Then, we’ve created team spirit with confidence, improving things we need to be better. Defensively we are conceding a lot of goals in each match, but the balance at the moment is positive because our attacking players are creating a lot of chances and we are scoring a lot.

"That’s good but we need to take a good balance in the attacking and defensive moments. We have changed to three at the back and sometimes with two or three midfielders. We need to continue improving and looking for the best balance for both."

2018-12-06T16:06:48.623Z

Rob Holding update

"We are waiting. The club can give us communication about this. The best news for me is [being] calm, but the doctors are looking at him and they are going to communicate with us."

On if he fears a long injury

"At the moment, the first news is not good."

2018-12-06T16:09:21.366Z

On Ramsey’s injury

"It’s a different injury. It’s smaller than Rob’s. Today it’s very early because this morning we have been working, but with the players who didn’t play yesterday. Tomorrow we’ll train before the game on Saturday and that’s the moment you can know for the players will be okay or not for Saturday."

2018-12-06T16:11:38.496Z

On Fellaini pulling Guendouzi’s hair

"When I was a player it was the same. Today, with the cameras, all the situations happening in the 90 minutes can be seen. Some questions are for me between the players on the pitch. If it’s not a good action they can receive a card. On the pitch, the situation happened and it’s between the players."

On if there’s any place for what Fellaini did

"I think the best thing is for the next match for Matteo to cut his hair, and this problem is finished! Like Fellaini!"

On if he’s told him that

"No, I respect the players’ hair a lot!"

2018-12-06T16:16:19.450Z

Koscielny and his expected return date

"We are on a gradual way with him. He’s played two matches with the Under-23s. He played 85 minutes on Tuesday and our plan is that he can maybe be with us in the 18 on Saturday. Maybe he can play against Qarabag in the Europa League. He’s working with us with very big performances every day in training. He’s playing for the Under-23s with a good feeling. The next step is for him to be with us."

On what it means having Koscielny back

"Experience, quality, personality. We need every player and we need also for him to train with us. The next step is playing. He can play with us and be with us normally."

2018-12-06T16:18:04.876Z

On Ozil and expected return date

"He had backache and now he’s working with the physio. We are going to look at when he can come back with us."

On if Ozil could be involved on Saturday

"This morning he worked with the physiological on the pitch, running and touching the ball. Tomorrow will be the decision."

2018-12-06T16:20:56.310Z

On if he’s ever gone 20 games unbeaten before

"I can’t remember - maybe yes, maybe not. I live [in the] present in every day, in every year. The only thing is about Huddersfield, the games happen very quickly for the players, for me, for us. Maybe I’ve won, maybe I lost, but I need to win on Saturday."