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
Arteta clarifies Saka absence as Madueke steps into Cup spotlight
Arteta: Saka had a warm-up niggle; Madueke responded when called, with Chelsea tie on Tuesday. Read.
Mikel Arteta confirmed that Bukayo Saka was withdrawn from the squad for Saturday’s win over Leeds United after picking up “a little niggle” in the warm-up. The injury was the only notable setback on a positive day for Arsenal ahead of the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
“He wasn’t comfortable to start the game, so immediately we made a decision to make that change and bring Noni in,” Arteta said, explaining the decision to replace Saka before kick-off.
Squad depth on the right flank was a specific objective for the club during the summer transfer window. Arteta has been open about his intention to assemble multiple high-quality options in every position, and securing a reliable deputy for Saka was part of that plan.
Arsenal agreed a package worth as much as £52 million ($71.4 million) to sign Madueke from Chelsea, and circumstances provided an early opportunity when Saka was sidelined earlier in the season. While the headline goal-and-assist figures have not matched expectations, Madueke has “undoubtedly passed the eye test this season,” contributing when called upon.
Arteta praised the new arrival for his attitude and preparation. “The way he prepares, the way he’s waiting for opportunity, I think he paid off today because he really impacted the team,” the manager said, highlighting Madueke’s readiness to fill the role.
On the collective task, Arteta added: “We talked before the game, it’s going to be a long game, we’re going to have to navigate through different moments in the game, and we’re going to need everybody fulfilling the role that they have on the day, and I think the players executed that incredibly well.”
Madueke is the leading candidate to occupy the right wing when Arsenal face his former club on Tuesday, though Arteta’s squad contains several possible options for the position.
Arsenal
Clinical Arsenal Cruise to 4-0 at Leeds as Madueke Seizes Late Call-Up
Arsenal recovered from the United loss with a 4-0 victory at Leeds, Zubimendi opened scoring today.
Arsenal responded to last week’s defeat to Manchester United with a 4-0 win away at Leeds United. The Gunners controlled the match from the outset, Martín Zubimendi opening the scoring with a smart header before a corner from Noni Madueke produced an own goal shortly after. Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Jesus both netted in the final 20 minutes to make the scoreline emphatic.
Noni Madueke, thrown into the starting lineup moments before kick-off, made an immediate impact. His cross created Zubimendi’s opener and his corner caused the own goal by Karl Darlow. That decisive delivery underlined why Mikel Arteta sought to add the former Chelsea man to his squad.
At the back Gabriel led a physical performance, notably handling Dominic Calvert-Lewin with authority and topping the successful duels for Arsenal. Declan Rice kept the midfield ticking with a steady stream of passes and defensive work. Martín Zubimendi shielded the defence and recycled possession efficiently, earning the match’s highest rating.
Bukayo Saka had been set to start but an injury in the warm-up forced him out of contention, leaving Arsenal to await clarity on the severity of his problem. Madueke’s display further complicates selection decisions on the right flank.
Key player notes and ratings from the match: Martín Zubimendi 8.2, Gabriel Jesus 7.6, Gabriel 7.5, Noni Madueke 7.5, Declan Rice 7.6. Substitutions included Gabriel Martinelli (61′ for Madueke), Martin Ødegaard (61′ for Kai Havertz), Riccardo Calafiori (76′ for Piero Hincapié), Gabriel Jesus (76′ for Viktor Gyökeres) and Eberechi Eze (81′ for Leandro Trossard). Unused subs were Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera and Christian Nørgaard.
Match statistics underlined Arsenal’s control: possession 51% to 49%, expected goals 2.39 to 0.15, total shots 14 to 3 and shots on target 8 to 1. Arsenal created seven big chances to Leeds’s nil and both sides finished with 79% passing accuracy.
Arsenal
Arsenal make late switch as Bukayo Saka withdraws ahead of Leeds tie
Saka withdrew from Arsenal’s starting XI at Elland Road after he “felt something” in the warm-up…
Arsenal, the Premier League leaders, were forced into a last-minute change to their starting line-up on Saturday when Bukayo Saka withdrew before the match at Elland Road.
Saka had travelled to Leeds and was given the nod on the right wing, with plans for him to wear the captain’s armband and resume his usual role on Arteta’s right wing. Those plans changed in the pre-match moments when the winger registered an issue while warming up.
The club confirmed Saka “felt something” while preparing for the game at Elland Road. The team did not disclose any further specifics about the problem, but it was sufficient for the England international to be deemed unavailable for selection.
The absence arrived at short notice and produced a late alteration to the XI, with Saka replaced in the team sheet just minutes before the final whistle. Arsenal made the call after the issue presented itself during the warm-up, and the club determined the player could not take part.
That decision removed an influential figure from the side for a fixture in which Arsenal arrived as league leaders. The club offered no further detail on the nature of the injury, only that the matter prevented Saka from featuring on Saturday afternoon.
The late withdrawal underlines how quickly pre-match circumstances can force tactical and personnel changes. Arsenal moved to adjust their selection immediately after the issue emerged during preparations at Elland Road, leaving supporters and staff to await further updates on the player’s condition.
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