Arsenal
Arteta: Saliba Committed After Honest Talks Amid Real Madrid Interest
Arteta says Saliba wants to stay and a new Arsenal contract should be announced very soon. confirmed
Mikel Arteta says William Saliba has been clear about his desire to remain at Arsenal and that the club expects a new contract announcement soon. Arteta praised Saliba’s conduct while transfer interest from Real Madrid circulated and said the defender held the same position in private discussions as he had in public.
Saliba had publicly expressed his desire to stay with Arsenal beyond the terms of his current deal, and Arteta admitted the 24-year-old had always taken the same stance behind the scenes during their private talks about Madrid ’s interest.
“I was quite direct with him, because when you hear that noise—you can understand, players have feelings,” he told a press conference. “At the end, players have feelings, players have been educated in their families, maybe they are dreaming about something one day, and that’s a really natural thing to have.
“When I sat down with William, I asked him the question. He said, ‘No, I want to stay here, I want to play for you and I’m very happy’.”
Asked whether those conversations revolved around Madrid specifically, Arteta added: “In general, I didn’t want to be specific, but it was obvious with the amount of noise there was around certain clubs. We didn’t have to name many teams, but there are not that many that can come and get Willy out from us and him being happy to discuss it. He was clear and so transparent and honest from the beginning.”
For supporters the immediate task is simply waiting for paperwork. “Hopefully it will be everyone in the world [confirming the new contract has been signed], Arsenal included, very soon,” Arteta beamed. “That’s what I’m hoping, but let’s leave the club to announce that when it’s all done.
Arteta underlined Saliba’s importance to the team’s stability and recent defensive record. “He’s been instrumental in everything we’ve done these last few years. It’s been great to see a lot of players willing to commit to the club. That means they are happy, they feel values and they see that it is the best opportunity for them to continue their careers and fulfil the ambition of the club.
“Very impressive, what he’s done at his age. His consistency, the way he’s progressed and matured as a person, he’s grown year after year. I think he’s built a partnership with Gabi [Magalhães] especially, but with the back line and the keeper that has given the best defensive record in the last three years, I think. He’s been pivotal to that.”
Reflecting on their early relationship, Arteta recalled a period of differing expectations that eventually resolved. “The way we started our relationship, when probably we had different expectations or ideas of how we started to create the best pathway for him to fulfil his potential, at some point, we got to the same conclusion, we decided to work together and, from there, everything started to flourish,” Arteta reflected.
“It was clear the potential was there, it was about timing and, in my opinion, creating the right environment for him to deliver what he could do.”
Arsenal
Gameweek 16 Preview: Predicted Scores and What’s at Stake
Gameweek 16 predictions: expected scorelines, current form and the biggest pressure points. Previews
With Gameweek 16 approaching, the Premier League landscape remains fluid at both ends of the table. Wolverhampton Wanderers are still yet to secure a win and look the only side who appear nailed-on for relegation. At the top, Arsenal lead but their advantage was cut after last weekend’s late defeat at Aston Villa. Arsenal recovered with a 3–0 win away at Club Brugge where Noni Madueke starred, and they head into this weekend heavy favourites against bottom-placed Wolves.
Chelsea have drifted since being tipped into the title conversation. The Blues sit fifth and eight points behind Arsenal after an embarrassing defeat at Leeds sandwiched between draws with Arsenal and Bournemouth. Enzo Maresca’s return to his homeland ended badly when he was beaten by Atalanta midweek. A positive result against Everton is essential; Everton arrive on the back of four wins from five and sit just a point behind Chelsea.
Liverpool found respite in Milan, beating Inter at the San Siro courtesy of a controversial late penalty. That win was timely following draws with Sunderland and Leeds, but the defence remains a concern and there is no guarantee Mohamed Salah will be available despite Arne Slot deciding to recall him to the matchday party. Brighton’s attacking threat makes Liverpool’s task difficult and a fourth straight home match without victory is possible.
Fulham’s form is unpredictable: wins over Sunderland and Tottenham were followed by a nine-goal thriller with Manchester City and a late defeat to Crystal Palace. Burnley have lost six on the spin and may struggle to stop Fulham’s momentum.
Other narratives to watch: Manchester City travel to Crystal Palace after a key win over Real Madrid; Tottenham’s strong away form sees them as favourites at Nottingham Forest; the Tyne-Wear derby returns with Sunderland ahead of Newcastle in the standings but Newcastle unbeaten in four; Brentford have strong home form and will be a tough test for Leeds; Manchester United will hope the 4–1 win over Wolves sparks a run as Bournemouth arrive winless in six.
Predictions follow the most likely scores based on recent form.
Arsenal
Saliba setback over ankle problem leaves Arsenal light at centre back ahead of Wolves
Arteta admits Saliba setback from ankle issue leaves Arsenal thin at centre back ahead of Wolves…
Arsenal face a defensive selection squeeze after manager Mikel Arteta confirmed William Saliba has suffered a setback while trying to recover from a minor ankle problem. Saliba has been unable to train with the squad for the past few weeks and his fitness now remains uncertain ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Arteta initially played down the situation before admitting the interruption had required the medical team to change course. “We have to wait and see, yesterday he didn’t train. We have an extra day, let’s see if he can [play] tomorrow.”
Explaining how a small issue escalated, the manager outlined the sequence that forced Saliba to stop working with the group. “It was something quite small,” he explained. “It came from an ankle injury that he had, and then he started to modify the way he was running and all that, and he started to overload an area, which is something common.
“But at some point, it became uncomfortable to continue training and playing, and we had to stop. He looks better but we have to wait and see if it’s enough for him to be able to train with the team.”
The centre back’s absence is compounded by other defensive and midfield availability issues. Gabriel and Cristhian Mosquera are sidelined, while Jurriën Timber is dealing with a knock, narrowing Arteta’s options for the weekend.
Midfield cover is also in question after Declan Rice missed the 3–0 Champions League win over Club Brugge with an illness. Timber and winger Leandro Trossard were also ruled out for that game.
On Timber, Arteta said: “It depends how he feels today. It was a knock that he picked [up] and he wasn’t feeling comfortable. Whether it’s tomorrow or not we will see.” On Rice: “Let’s see how he goes today, he was ill. Normally in a few days, but let’s see how he gets on.” Trossard’s return was also described as a “matter of days,” and Arteta confirmed there were no fresh injuries from the victory over Brugge.
Any absence among the trio would further constrain selection as Arsenal prepare for a match that could affect their standing in the Premier League table.
Arsenal
Arteta: Mosquera faces extended layoff as Arsenal cope and secure Brugge win
Arteta: Mosquera out for weeks; Arsenal manage absences as Timber and Calafiori miss out in Brugge..
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed Cristhian Mosquera will be sidelined for longer than first feared, a setback that added to a mounting availability problem before Wednesday’s Champions League fixture at Club Brugge. “Unfortunately he’s going to be out for weeks,” Arteta said ahead of the trip. “Unfortunately, it’s much more than what we expected, but the player was feeling it, so he’s going to be out for weeks.”
The injury situation worsened further when Jurriën Timber, who has been used primarily at right back and recently deputised for Mosquera, was ruled out after sustaining a “really bad kick” in Saturday’s defeat to Aston Villa. “It was too early” for Timber to return, Arteta added, while Riccardo Calafiori was only fit enough to occupy a place on the bench.
Those late absences forced Arteta into an unplanned reshuffle and a last-minute selection change, with Christian Nørgaard drafted into the middle of the backline for the trip. The former Brentford captain has seen limited action since his arrival, a combination of his own fitness problems and the strong start by Martín Zubimendi restricting his chances in his preferred midfield role. On Wednesday, however, Nørgaard impressed in a defensive role.
Arteta was full of praise after the 3–0 victory in Belgium. “It’s a really positive evening and I think it’s very difficult to win away from home in the Champions League,” he said. “We’ve done it with a lot of absences, especially in the backline and even this morning we lost two players.
“I love the way the team reacted to that, collectively, individually, for example what Christian Nørgaard has done just talks about how much better he makes all of us with his attitude, with his commitment in the manner that he prepares and is able to perform. So yeah, overall a really positive night.” The result offered a timely boost for a side managing multiple defensive issues while progressing in Europe.
