Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was absent from his usual pre-match press conference on Thursday due to illness.
The Frenchan was replaced by assistant Steve Bould, who took questions from the media ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Stoke.
Wenger was unable to fulfil his commitments due to losing his voice, but is expected to be in place for the game.
Gunners number two Bould responded to the growing uncertainty over Wenger’s future by insisting the 68-year-old remains as hungry as ever to bring success to the club.
Wenger has come in for fierce criticism from some quarters again this season, with the Gunners sitting 33 points adrift of Premier League leaders Manchester City.