Arsenal
Arteta welcomes Rooney’s focus on Gyökeres’ team impact
Arteta backs Rooney’s view that Gyökeres brings more than goals to Arsenal; Saka’s talks continue as
Mikel Arteta has welcomed Wayne Rooney’s recent praise of Viktor Gyökeres, emphasising that the striker’s value goes beyond goals. Arteta highlighted the new signing’s link-up play, his willingness to stretch the game and run the channels, and the physical presence that has unsettled central defenders.
Gyökeres returned to scoring form with a quick-fire double against Atlético Madrid, but Arteta says the broader influence on Arsenal’s midfield and forward line is what matters. He contrasted Gyökeres’ different dynamic with the club’s previous option in 2024–25, describing how the striker’s hold-up play and movement open space and timing for team-mates.
Rooney said “Arsenal have been crying out for a number nine for a few years now and he’s come in and his work rate, his determination, his hold-up play and obviously scoring a few goals as well,” when describing why he’d put Gyökeres in his top three players of the season so far, and Arteta told reporters on Friday that he was pleased with that assessment.
“I’m really glad that this is coming from someone like Wayne, his experience and the kind of player that he was.,” the Spaniard said.
“Actually then it’s not just related to the goals that he has scored but the contribution to the team and the impact that Viktor has in our team, his work rate, the way he opens the spaces for other people, the timing that he generates for us and then as well the level of threat that he has brought to the team, which is magnificent. So I’m really happy to hear that.”
Rooney had placed Gyökeres alongside Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, whose form has generated transfer speculation because of a £65 million release clause valid for January, and Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo, who has enjoyed a strong start at Old Trafford after his move from Brentford.
Arteta was also asked about contract discussions with Bukayo Saka. He indicated there is mutual commitment and described the situation as confidence rather than concern: “I prefer that word, I think it is confidence,” Arteta said. He added: “What I’m very aware of is that he wants to continue with us, that he’s very happy and that he’s in the place that he wants to continue to be and achieve everything that we want to achieve together. And then when that happens and how it happens, I leave that to Andrea [Berta] and the club to figure it out.”
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.
