Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta reflects on the forthcoming clash, Sunday at St. James’ Park between Newcastle and Arsenal in the sixth round of premier league action during a press conference.
"I'd like to add my deepest condolences through the family of this former Arsenal player Billy Vigar who played for my team Chichester, whose death was as a result of an injury suffered on their football field. "This is very shocking news. Right away I thought about his family and having to go through something like that. Our full support is with the family.”
I wish that the whole world will talk about his contract and when he’s extending.He also said this about Saliba, “I hope that we will be able to evolve in those few days. It is wonderful so many players want to stay, Saliba is immense for his age, he really is, because we forget that at my best I am just about old enough to be legally able to do most things but this guy could not even buy a pint! And that’s simply because of how consistent he is and the way in which he’s grown as a human being. He has established a very solid partnership, especially with Gabriel but also with the entire defense and a goalkeeper across the last year. Every time I speak to a player and have the opportunity to be with them, they want to stay here. We don’t take that lightly. So that means the club is doing a good job in feeling players and the coaching staff are important.”
On whether Saka's contract could be renewed: "I would love that to happen. “He is a player who, inside the field, plays with a lot of happiness and joy. Everyone knows about the detail of how much Bukayo means to us.”
“We want to be the best team in the Premier League (defensively), it’s a collective thing, it’s a team game and everything that we do, everyone has to pitch in.
Regarding Newcastle and St. James’ Park atmosphere: “I always say the work Eddie (Howe) and his staff has done there, I cannot speak highly enough off. They have worked hard to give that team a fantastic environment and clear identity. It is going to be another hard battle, we know that we have to be more effective and win the game and that is what we will work on the next two days. St James’ has a fantastic atmosphere about it. One of the top atmospheres in the nation. They play every ball with you. The atmosphere is electric. It’s one club in one city. It’s a great environment to play in.”
He added on the state of his squad: “I hope Martin Ødegaard will be available for the team’s game against Newcastle and about the injury that Noni Madueke suffered, there is no change.”