Mikel Arteta has issued an Arsenal fitness update ahead of the Gunners' Premier League home meeting with his former club Everton on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium.

Unsurprisingly, the press conference was largely dominated by questions on Bukayo Saka's fitness following his midweek quad injury in the 2-2 Champions League draw at Bayern Munich.

He also explained whether Piero Hincapie will be back to face the Toffees and there were also comments on the likes of Max Dowman, Eberechi Eze Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi.

Here is every word Arteta said at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.

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What's the latest on Bukayo Saka?

"He's got another MRI this afternoon because he had quite a lot of fluid in the area so it was difficult to understand the extent of the injury. We will know more probably tomorrow."

Serious or not serious?

"Again we need a few more scans and opinions from the specialists. Obviously when a player has to walk off the pitch, he is struggling to walk without any pain, he's restricted to movement, they are not good signs. Let's be a little bit patient so we can gave a definitive assessment and then let you know."

Saw Bukayo driving into the training ground - automatic car, not using left leg, can we read anything into that?

"He was not changing gear either, no? I'm happy that he can drive."

Everton at home a good time to play Max?

"Well there is something inevitable to go back to that memory and the feeling of the moment. That's with us, that's going to stay in that stadium for a long, long time. He's training and every time he's got a moment to play, he's showing that he's a player that is going to impact the game. For sure he's going to have minutes."

Fairytale if he started his first game at the Emirates against the team he scored that goal in March?

"It would be a great story yeah, if we win the game especially."

Eze will be important if Saka is out?

"They're all important. I'm extremely happy how Ebs reacted to the previous game and the impact he had on the team and the performance in Munich."

Is this the start of Rice's scoring run?

"It goes for the midfielders as well. Martin has already scored a few goals, Bruno has done the same, Declan has done the same. That's what we need, in relation to the position on the day that they have that license. Especially that aggression to penetrate and damage the opposition." Timber got his 100th appearance shirt - potentially 200 for Ben White. That battle between the two of them?

"It's a competition between the two of them and we are really lucky to have the two of them. I think the way they have both started the season is really positive, they are giving us so much. It's good numbers for them."

Is David Moyes the real King of the Premier League?

"100%. I don't know if he's the king or what he is, but he's certainly someone that we all look up to. Not only for his longevity, I think for what he represents for the game, what he represents for the Premier League, his trajectory. Me especially because I know the man behind the coach, which is the most important thing. Then I really know the coach and he's a superb coach."

How rewarding to see young players show what they can do?

"Extremely fulfilling because personally to have had this experience and this trust and belief by somebody, it's exactly what you need. But actually, you have to go out on the pitch and perform and prove that you belong to that level. Against Bayern, I really liked the way Myles came in. The composure, the presence and the way he helped the team to establish in the final third and play with so much personality is another big step."

Proud of the record you have with the finishers?

"Yes, we have really good options because they have the right mindset. I'm extremely proud of all that. The chemistry, I think the desire that we have created on the players that are starting and the players that are going to be critical to finish the game. We had another big example the other day with Ebs. He could have been really upset, I'm certain that he was, because he was substituted the other way around after 45 minutes. But then he was ready to come in immediately and have a huge impact on the team. And that's exactly what you need, otherwise you have a bench and they can be as good as you want, but they will not give you what you need."

Looking ahead to the game against Everton, what do you feel their biggest threats are?

"A lot, because I know David so well, the way he sets the team. Obviously the quality that they have in their organisation. And individually, it's not a coincidence that they didn't lose before the last game, because they are a really good team. And we know that as well, because in recent clashes it's always been a really difficult match for us."

With Saka, are you concerned that you may be losing a bit of that robustness that you value so highly and be able to play all of those games?

"Well, it's certainly been different in the last year or so. Obviously the demands that we are putting to every player are immense. The amount of games, the intensity of those matches, the international competitions, the times as well between games are getting narrower. So look at us now, we have to play on Sunday afternoon, then we have to go away, we have to play on Wednesday evening, then we have to play on Saturday. So you go less than 66, 67 hours between games. On top of everything that we are putting, every hour is important. If they can support all the demands that we are putting to the players in that sense, that would be as well really appreciated from everybody. And I'm saying for every team as well, because we know what we are demanding from those players."

Is that a new thing you have to think about now with the schedule and the short turnaround between games?

"For sure, and that's why we have to change them. Bukayo against Lille didn't start the game because we knew what was happening. We have to play three times in less than six days. And especially when the games are so demanding, until the last minute you are there, you are chasing the game, you want to win. The necessity is to win every game, so we know that. So we are preparing the players for those scenarios and we do the best that we possibly can."

Bukayo is only 25, he's played a lot for England and Arsenal, is there are a fear he might end up being burnout before 32, 33, 34?

"I don't have that feeling at all but something we have to be very mindful of is to create the right ecosystem around the player to fulfil his qualities. We really need to understand no, whenever he comes back, how we are going to manage his load, what he is capable of to sustain having an impact in the team."

Do these impacts affect how your team play? People's opinion after Bayern was that your team played well, on Sunday it was the other way around? Does it matter or is it just about winning games?

"You have to respect every opponent, it would be good to be a bit consistent but that's what we face, it's understandable. It's a game you are too passionate to and you just get the emotion of what we have just seen and it's normal and you just forget what the team has done. I understand that's the level, that's the expectation and that's our job, to create that excitement constantly. The opponent has a lot to do with that and the way they want to play. That's on us, that's our responsibility, we take it and accept that."

Ideally you want teams to come and have a go at you, not a low block?

"That will depend. Every team is going to prepare the game in the best way to beat us and yeah if the game changes after 10 minutes when you have an open chance, then the next 80 minutes are different and the context of the game and the result has a huge impact on the way the teams behave. As always, we need to be prepared for any context and on top of that, to be as good as possible. That's our job."

When Eze came on vs Bayern, the cameras caught a moment where you made him laugh while he was in deep thought, what did you say?

"I think that stays between him and I, why I did it and that's it. Ebs when he's like this and grumpy, I don't think we're going to get the best out of him. When he's laughing, he's himself he can express, I think that we're going to find the best version of him. That's it."

You spoke last season about understanding him more, in that moment, was that what he needed?

"I think it's crucial that we do that. At least we are open to that because the more we connect with our players and we know how they are feeling and you can create that emotional connection between the coaches or whether it's the staff or between players, obviously even more ideal. I think that was the best version of yourself. Then you feel understood and listened and important. I think that's crucial to get performances."

On emotions, you mentioned dominance and owning the moment. Declan Rice has seized those moments when you need a goal?

"I've really seen a step there on emotional dominance and control of Declan. It's something that I demand him to do because I know the personality, the charisma and I think it's very important to set the bar, especially when things are not where we want to. But we are still chasing to do that and generate that belief and conviction in the team. I think he's done that really, really well."

With Saka and number of muscle injuries, has it impacted how you use him, has he had to become a different kind of profile of winger?

"Not now, I don't know what's going to happen in the future. It's been muscles, it's been tendons as well, which is something else. But that's not with Bukayo, with many other players as well. We discussed that I think last year and that's what we need to keep an eye on."

How do you lift him mentally now?

"Today, just thinking how can I help the team. I already told them, go in that building and be the first one there with a good spirit and energy. Because that's what the team needs. If everyone is like, Bukayo, how are you? Are you sad? Are you okay? That's exactly what we don't need. It is what it is. This is part of our job. To have this, to have sometimes a bad result, a defeat, a problem. We need to deal with that. We cannot change that now. What we certainly can dominate is the narrative from here to the Everton game. Together with the best energy and spirit to go and win the game again."

Zubimendi, can you provide context on why he's not playing? You fought to keep him?

"Yeah, well, he had a few. Then he had the injury. And it's true that he had one game where he was almost fully available to play some minutes, not to start the game. And from now, he needs to earn the right to play. I need to find the right games to give him the opportunity. And I know when I do that, what his response is going to be. But he's been exceptional, whatever the role that he had to assume. And I expect that from every player. And he's a player that deserves more minutes at the moment."

Calafiori, had to be protected in past, can he start a third in a row and is Piero Hincapie fit?

"Yeah, he's ready [Calafiori]. I think Ricci is in a different place because he had a full pre-season as well. And he's been available for every match. And Piero, he's trained with us and is available for tomorrow as well."

Bayern you fought back from behind, what have you done to help this team become mentality monsters over the past few years?

"That's clear to the players, I think. We know what the expectations are. We know that we prepare and face each opponent, regardless of who it is, to beat them. And that's the objective. And that's it. And that's the focus. And things can happen throughout a game. Things that we don't expect. Things that we don't like. Things that we have to overcome. So be it. If you want to win a lot of matches, you're going to have to face so many different kinds of situations. And I think the team is ready to do that."