Penny_Oleksiak
2020-9-23 09:52:54
Arteta: Saliba will be really important for Arsenal’s future
With every new season, it’s understandable that fans are extra keen to watch the latest signings in action. Much has been spoken about impressive debuts by Willian and Gabriel but we have yet to see towering centre back, William Saliba, in a competitive match.
Expectations are high because of the £28m we paid Saint-Etienne, as well as the fact fans have waited over a year to watch the promising youngster in Arsenal colours.
In the press conference leading up to Wednesday’s Carabao Cup game against Leicester City, Arteta was quick to stress that what happens in the short-term is no reflection on the 19 year old.
“I think William is doing really well, adapting to the country, adapting to our club, and we have to bear in mind that he had a really challenging season last year with the amount of injuries that that he had,” said Arteta.
“He is going to be really important in our future and things sometimes take some time. And we have to respect that.”
Saliba has time on his side, and time away from the limelight might be well spent learning from some of the experienced heads in the first team. David Luiz, for one, is seen as a mentor for many of the younger players in the squad, the young Frenchman included.
“I think David is a really good role model for them – for who David is as a person and as a player and everything that he has achieved in the game.
“I think they are lucky to have him around,” claimed Arteta.
Much has been said about Luiz’s leadership qualities and we can only hope that any wisdom shared can help Saliba settle much more quickly on and off the pitch.
Penny_Oleksiak
2020-9-23 09:55:24
Arteta on Carabao Cup: We will take it seriously
Any chance of silverware should not be scoffed at, even if it’s the often ridiculed Carabao Cup, according to Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta. At Manchester City, Arteta was part of the team who won it in back to back seasons and he feels that the perception of the league cup is slowly turning.
“I think, in the last few seasons of the competition, other clubs have raised (their standard),” he said.
“There is only one winner with the Premier League in this country with a lot of frustrated teams. So now, everyone wants to win a title.”
The Spaniard has already won two titles in his nascent Arsenal career and is gunning for more this season – including the Carabao Cup, but he admits the fixture schedule adds to the challenge.
“We’re going to take the Carabao Cup seriously, that’s for sure,” he said. “And, obviously, with the fixtures that we have, the number of games, it is very difficult.
“Maybe not the first game, but (it gets more difficult) as the competition moves a little bit more forwards, with how teams, not just ourselves, are going to treat the competition.
“We have to go day by day. Let’s see what happens tomorrow, and see which position we are on Wednesday to try to put the strongest possible team to try to win it,” shared Arteta.
On top of the possibility of winning a trophy, a deep run into the Carabao Cup is beneficial for youngsters and bench players who could use the minutes on the pitch.
To earn those minutes though, Arsenal ar going to have to perform at the King Power Stadium against a wily Leceister side.
There may be a debut for new goalkeeper Alex Runarsson, while the likes of Cedric Soares, Joe Willock, Reiss Nelson, Nicolas Pepe, Mesut Ozil and Matteo Guendouzi will all hope to be involved from the start.