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
Martinelli backs Gyökeres to hit 30-40 goals with Ødegaard supplying the creativity
Martinelli says Gyökeres could score 30 or 40 goals as Ødegaard’s creativity creates clear openings
Gabriel Martinelli has publicly backed Viktor Gyökeres to reach the high double figures this season, suggesting the Swedish striker could finish with “30 or 40 goals a season.” Martinelli pointed to the influence of Martin Ødegaard as a decisive factor in that projection after Arsenal’s Champions League victory over Olympiacos.
The towering 27-year-old has proved a handful for central defenders even when not scoring, something that was underscored by his performance in Arsenal‘s 2–0 win over Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday. Gyökeres outmuscled both Olympiacos centre backs in the build-up to Martinelli’s opener, finishing the game with three shots, 0.47 expected goals and seven touches in the opposition penalty area.
Bukayo Saka was also on the scoresheet midweek but it was Ødegaard who was the standout performer, with Martinelli believing the Norwegian will boost Gyökeres’ goalscoring numbers in his debut term. The forward’s physical presence and movement were highlighted as complementary to Ødegaard’s ability to find team-mates in dangerous positions.
“We are really happy with [Gyökeres], we trust him, we know his qualities and he’s one of the top strikers in the world right now,” said Martinelli after the victory.
“We trust him and we are trying to give him the confidence to score and to do his best on the pitch to help us. It’s really good to play with Martin there because he’s always trying to find you, when we make the movement.
“And for Viktor as well, his qualities as well, as he likes to go in behind and attack the opposition’s box. I think him playing with Martin as well is going to be good for him. We are going to try to give him the ball as much as possible to make him score, I don’t know, 30 or 40 goals a season.”
Martinelli’s assessment rests on Gyökeres converting chances that are created by Ødegaard and others, and on the striker maintaining the form shown against Olympiacos.
Arsenal
Arteta confident Gabriel will recover after precautionary withdrawal vs Olympiacos
Arteta: Gabriel expected to recover after being withdrawn vs Olympiacos; West Ham fitness watch plan
Mikel Arteta sought to calm concern over Gabriel Magalhães after the centre back was withdrawn during Arsenal’s victory over Olympiacos. The manager described the substitution as a precaution and indicated the issue is not expected to be serious.
“I think he’s going to be OK,” Arteta explained.
Arteta said the problem stemmed from a first-half challenge. “I think it was a kick, in the first half, and it was a bit uncomfortable. He could carry on but we decided not to take any risks because he’s played a lot of games. He’s coming back from a long-term injury and we need to look after him.” Those comments underline a cautious approach given Gabriel’s recent long-term layoff and his heavy workload since returning.
Despite the reassurance, Arsenal face a short wait to confirm whether Gabriel will be available for Saturday’s Premier League meeting with West Ham United. The Brazilian has played every minute of league action so far this season, following a hamstring injury that ended his 2024–25 campaign in April, so any enforced absence would halt that run.
Arsenal’s defensive options provide cover. Cristhian Mosquera replaced Gabriel alongside William Saliba when the change was made, and Riccardo Calafiori can also operate centrally despite being used primarily on the left in England. Piero Hincapié remains out with a groin issue; while his setback is not expected to be lengthy, the Ecuador international will not be fit for Saturday’s game.
Arteta’s handling of Gabriel’s withdrawal reflects a priority on long-term fitness over short-term gain. With rotation and alternatives available, Arsenal will monitor the centre back closely ahead of their domestic fixture, balancing the desire to maintain an unbeaten run of appearances for Gabriel against the need to manage his recovery following a significant prior injury.
Arsenal
Webb: VAR Was Right to Overturn Arsenal’s Penalty Appeal
Webb rejects Arteta’s call after VAR showed Pope brushed the ball, explaining why no foul was given.
Howard Webb has publicly disagreed with Mikel Arteta’s criticism of a non-penalty decision after Arsenal’s late 2–1 victory over Newcastle United. The incident occurred when Gyökeres rounded Newcastle United’s goalkeeper Nick Pope midway through the first half. Arsenal argued for a penalty after contact was made, but Webb says the VAR intervention showed the full sequence.
“There was an important part around this in that the referee didn’t recognise that touch by Pope in real time,” Webb explained on Match Officials Mic’d Up .
Webb outlined the process that led the VAR to recommend a review and why the referee then went to the pitchside monitor.
“Hence the reason that when the VAR saw it, he deemed it to be a clear and obvious error because that touch by Pope hadn’t been seen, and therefore the referee could go to the screen to look at that really important aspect and make a judgement for himself, and the judgement was: I’ve seen the touch, therefore it’s not a foul, and I’m going to start with the drop ball.”
Supporters of Arsenal pointed to the sending off of Robert Sánchez for Chelsea against Manchester United earlier this season, where Sánchez also made contact with the ball before connecting with a forward, Bryan Mbeumo. Webb rejected the comparison and described key differences between the two incidents.
“Pope then plants his foot on the ground. He doesn’t drive it forward into Gyökeres,” Webb said. “There’s a gap, clearly a gap, between the two players after Pope has played the ball, and then the two players come together quite normally. The action by Pope is normal. It’s not reckless. It’s just a kick out towards the ball. The ball deviates.
“No contact on the player until the ball has been played away, and then the contact happens fairly normally. So, not a foul, and therefore a good use of the VAR to intervene to show the referee what really happened.”
Webb’s explanation concentrates on the sequence of touch, the referee’s initial lack of sight, and how VAR restored the correct on-field decision.
Olise transfer interest intensifies as Liverpool join Chelsea and Manchester City in chase
Martinelli backs Gyökeres to hit 30-40 goals with Ødegaard supplying the creativity
