Mikel Arteta has revealed his admiration for Jose Mourinho as he admitted he loves playing mind games with his fellow managers.

The Arsenal boss said he was considering giving a debut to another teenage keeper in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie at Preston. And he reported defenders Gabriel and Jurrien Timber, who both went off on Sunday, will be available for selection.

But Arteta also confessed he likes to keep opponents and the media “guessing” just days after Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher claimed the Spaniard is “slowly morphing into a Jose Mourinho type of manager” after the 2-2 draw with Liverpool.

“They were 2-1 up, pressing Liverpool, on top and playing really well but they retreated in the second half,” said the former Reds defender. Arteta, now 42, was at Barcelona from 1997-99 when Mourinho was assistant to Louis van Gaal before his own coaching career.

Asked if the Portuguese was a reference for him, the Spaniard said: “For sure. I’ve known him since I was 15 years old. He coached me. He was in Barcelona. Yeah, he’s won 26 titles. So he’s someone to really admire, the way he’s done it, the way he’s changed the culture in clubs, the way he’s done it in different countries. But I don’t like comparing myself to anybody.”

Mourinho was also a master of the dark arts and always sought to gain pre-match psychological wins before big matches. And after playing Bukayo Saka on Sunday, Arteta admitted he is not always open about his pre-match plans.

“That is my job,” he said. “I am not going to lie to you, I am not going to say: ‘He’s not fit’ and then I play him, I would never do that but if I am certain or I don’t want to tell you, I will keep you guessing.

‘‘I don’t want to make it easy for anybody. The opponent has to work and think and prepare and make sure they do their homework like I have to. I wish I knew their starting XI, who is on the bench, but I don’t. It is our job to guess and do the work we have to do.”

With No.2 keeper Neto cup-tied in the Carabao Cup after playing in the competition for Bournemouth in August, 16-year-old keeper Jack Porter was one of four debutants in the last round win over Bolton. And Arteta said Tommy Setford, 18, could now make his first Arsenal start tonight (wed) since joining from the Ajax Academy in the summer.

Before the first of four consecutive away matches, the Gunners boss said: “We brought him (Setford) because we know he’s got the qualities we’re looking for with our goalkeeping area. But unfortunately he’s been injured so he hasn’t really played. Let’s see if we play him or not tomorrow.”

William Saliba is back after suspension but Areta reported Riccardo Calafiori will be out “for a few weeks” with his knee injury while captain Martin Odegaard will “hopefully:” be back before the next international break following his ankle injury.