Mikel Arteta has admitted he does not know how much his Arsenal squad has been affected after the club were involved in controversial European Super League plans this week.
The Gunners welcome Everton to the Emirates Stadium on Friday evening, which will be their first match since the scheme was announced by 12 clubs across the continent on Sunday evening.
All the Premier League sides involved - Manchester United, Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool - announced their plans to withdraw from the proposed new competition on Tuesday after a huge backlash.
And, speaking ahead of his side's next match against the Blues, Arteta hopes that his squad have not been affected too much by what has happened over the course of the last few days.
When asked how his squad has been affected, the Arsenal boss responded: "I don’t know. We tried to speak to them, Vinai [Venkatesham, Arsenal CEO] explained to all of them what happened, so hopefully they are in a good place.
"It was a big shock for all of us to go through. A lot to read, a lot of opinions and a lot to digest.
"But it’s not an excuse. We have a game tomorrow this is the most important thing. Let’s go and beat Everton."
Arteta will be coming up against his former club once again when he manages Arsenal's hosting of the Blues on Friday evening.
The former midfielder spent six-and-a-half years at Goodison Park, joining initially on loan in 2005 before enjoying a fantastic permanent spell on Merseyside.
The Spaniard joined Arsenal in 2011, but still looks back on his time with Everton fondly.
When asked if this was a special match for him, the former Blue remarked: "Always. I had an incredible seven years over there.
"It's a lot of people there that I love, a lot of feelings towards the club, towards their supporters and I’m always grateful because I had some amazing years there and will never forget them.
"It's a very special one. Again, for the memories that I have and the experiences that I had and because I am really attached to that football club and the people who runs it as well.
"I want to win the game. Then, hopefully, that [no more injuries] will come as well. But I don't even want to think about it.
"We had so many injuries in recent weeks that put the team in a difficult position. But the other players are reacting well, the team is performing well and let's go and win today.
"As well it’s the best medicine, always, for everything that happens to win football matches."
Arsenal and Everton are both still in the fight for European football with the closing stages of the season fast approaching.
Carlo Ancelotti's side are three points ahead of their upcoming opponents having played one match less this season, and Arteta admitted his side need to win every game to give them the best possible chance of achieving their goal.
"Yes again they’re [Everton] having a really good season," he added.
"We’re not getting the results that we want against Fulham. When the results was disappointing apart from the performance that in my opinion we deserved to win the game.
"We need to win every game now in the Premier League to give us the best possible chance to be in Europe next season through that competition."
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