News from Friday’s press conferences, including updates on Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and West Ham
Mikel Arteta insisted the relationship between Declan Rice and one of his top coaches is “all good” following a heated exchange in the tunnel at Stamford Bridge. Television footage emerged after Arsenal’s 3-2 Carabao Cup victory at Chelsea on Wednesday of Rice and the assistant manager, Albert Stuivenberg, embroiled in a tense conversation.
Rice’s teammate Gabriel intervened in the apparent disagreement which took place as the Arsenal players and coaching staff headed out for the second half of the semi-final tie. Rice was substituted late in the second half and shared a long embrace with Stuivenberg before taking his place in the Arsenal dugout.
Asked to clear up the situation between Rice and Stuivenberg, who has been at Arsenal since 2019, Arteta said: “All sorted, all good. The good thing is that by the time I found out, the problem was resolved so that’s very good.”
Arteta’s side will now turn their attention back to the Premier League – and an away trip to Nottingham Forest – before heading to Italy to face Inter in the Champions League. Arsenal are six points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and have won all six matches in Europe so far.
