No explanation required

Morning all.

We’ll hear from Mikel Arteta today for the first time in a couple of weeks, but with the schedule the way it is, and the way it could potentially be if we continue to make progress in the cup competitions, his will be a voice we can’t escape.

Today, the big questions will be about fitness, with so many high profile players on the list of those who either didn’t go away at all, or returned from international duty early. I think I’ve made my feelings pretty clear about the reaction to all of this...