Tag: Mikel Arteta

Arteta orders Christmas Day training as Saliba injury concerns persist

Mikel Arteta
December 2025

Arteta has instructed his Arsenal squad to report for training on Christmas morning despite no Boxing Day fixture, insisting preparations cannot pause between a Carabao Cup quarter-final with Crystal Palace and a key Premier League clash with Brighton at the Emirates. Players are expected to have Christmas Eve off before returning to a squad under scrutiny for injuries, with Arteta denying his methods are to blame as he frames Saliba’s latest setback as compensation from an earlier ankle problem that still threatens his immediate availability.

Arsenal hit by Cristhian Mosquera injury blow

Cristhian Mosquera
December 2025

Arsenal have confirmed centre back Mosquera will miss several weeks after landing awkwardly during the win over Brentford. The summer signing now joins fellow defenders William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes on the sidelines, stripping depth from an already stretched back line. Arteta admitted scans showed a worse problem than first expected and ruled the defender out for “weeks”. He has responded by shifting Jurrien Timber and Piero Hincapie into central roles and even using Christian Norgaard at centre back as Arsenal try to cope while protecting a narrow lead in the title race.

Arsenal’s centre-back crisis deepens as Mosquera joins Saliba and Gabriel on injury list

William Saliba
December 2025

Arsenal extended their outstanding league start with a routine 2-0 victory over Brentford but lost stand in centre-back Cristhian Mosquera to injury before half time, adding another defensive headache on top of existing problems for William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. With Saliba and Gabriel already sidelined, Arteta paired new signings Mosquera and Piero Hincapie, only to see Mosquera forced off with a knock, while the manager later described Saliba’s niggle as a matter of days and Gabriel’s ankle issue as weeks, leaving the title favourites exposed in central defence during a crowded schedule.

Kompany targets Bayern’s set-piece flaw before Arsenal showdown

Vincent Kompany
November 2025

Bayern sit top of the Bundesliga with 31 points from 11 games and only eight goals conceded, but six of those have come from set pieces, a worrying pattern as they prepare to face set-piece specialists Arsenal in a crucial Champions League tie. Kompany insists he is calm, blaming recent concessions on collective errors and demanding more personality in dead-ball defending, while pointing out Bayern also scored from a corner in their 6-2 win over Freiburg and will keep working to fix the issue.

Saka close to 2030 mega extension as Arsenal move to lock in talisman

Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
November 2025

Bukayo Saka is reportedly in the final stages of talks over a contract extension that would keep him at Arsenal until 2030, with both club and player confident of an agreement as the Premier League leaders move to lock down their homegrown star. Saka, whose current deal runs to 2027, has made clear he wants to win major trophies in north London, and Arsenal hope to have the paperwork completed before year’s end as they chase Premier League and Champions League glory under Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal braced for Gabriel layoff as injury crisis deepens title push

Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal)
November 2025

Arsenal fear Gabriel Magalhaes could miss up to two months after he left Brazil’s friendly against Senegal with a right thigh issue, a potential absence that would rule him out until mid January and remove a defensive cornerstone from a team chasing domestic and European trophies. Further scans will determine whether the layoff is closer to one month or two, but Gabriel now joins a crowded Arsenal injury list that already included Martin Odegaard, Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus, even as Arteta’s squad has still climbed to the Premier League summit.

Haaland warns Liverpool he’s in peak condition before Etihad clash

Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
November 2025

Haaland claims he’s “never felt better,” citing routines around recovery, diet and focus. With 18 goals in 14 for City and leading the Golden Boot race, he frames Arsenal’s slip as an opening to trim the gap entering the break. City’s attack is calibrated to early runs, second-phase cutbacks and Haaland’s first-time finishing. Liverpool must manage depth behind their line and deny Doku/De Bruyne service zones. Fitness and rhythm—and set-piece margins—likely decide possession-tilt games between pressing teams.

Trossard eyes longer Arsenal deal; Yildiz swap chatter

Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)
November 2025

After a summer pay rise without term added, Trossard wants greater security with two years left. Parallel reports claim Arsenal admire Kenan Yildiz and could explore a €60m-plus-Trossard structure; Juve value Yildiz near €80–100m. Arsenal’s attack planning centres on complementing Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyökeres. Age profile and Juventus’ valuation make a direct swap unlikely without a major fee. Club will balance Trossard’s form and age against squad refresh costs.

Arteta explains Saka withdrawal — illness management over risk

Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
October 2025

Arteta confirmed Saka started despite illness and minimal training, then exited on 66’ to avoid fatigue-related injury as Arsenal saw out a 1-0 win. Limited recent league starts and a muted outing framed the cautious call. With a four-point cushion atop the table, Arsenal prioritised player welfare amid a congested autumn schedule.

Neville tips Arsenal for title — “mid-to-high 80s” points enough

Arsenal
October 2025

With Arsenal four points clear after a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace and rivals stuttering, Gary Neville backed Arteta’s side for the crown, arguing reliability and elite defending set them apart. He forecast that mid-to-high 80s points will clinch it, crediting multi-source goals, Rice’s set-piece threat and squad balance despite lacking a “sensational” No.9.

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