Mikel Arteta was asked about various players at his pre-game press conference this afternoon.
First Jorginho, after reports in midweek suggested he’d been offered a new deal by the club, which the Italian international is expected to sign.
Arteta on Jorginho
“I would love to keep him. He knows that. The club is fully supportive of that. He makes us better so we want him to stay.”
Then, with David Raya having the opportunity to win the Golden Glove if he keeps a clean sheet tomorrow, there was a question on whether the loan deal from Brentford would be made permanent in the summer.
Arteta on Raya
“Those conversations are for after the season, we will review where we are. Obviously we are really happy with David and everything that he has brought to the club, to the team, there’s no question about it, but all those decisions are to be made between all of us at the club and we will see.”
Arteta on Jesus
After that, Arteta was quizzed about a midweek story about Arsenal being prepared to let Gabriel Jesus leave in the summer, if the right offer came in.”
“I don’t know where that’s coming from. No.”
Arteta on Declan Rice’s increased goalscoring this season
“I think there is much more there. We have to put him in more situations for him to explore the talent that he has. He needs to recognise certain situations earlier, he needs to build that relationship and chemistry within the unit that he’s playing with, something that is still quite raw, and especially with the amount of change that we made in that left side this season.
“So all this is going to contribute for his development and hopefully we can see much more.”
While Jorginho has been brilliant when he plays, having Partey in the midfield takes a lot of load off Rice
Send Raya back to where he really belongs, Brentford. Bid 60Mn and bring back Martinez & bury your ego MA if you genuinely want a “ball at his feet” GK.
If only Arteta weren’t so stubborn, we might be top of the league now.
I like that…
Or somewhere in fifth. Stubbornness works both ways. But since our minds are naturally skewed towards the negative, we are more likely to notice the times we think his decisions – or none thereof – have led to loss of points. We have gained some too, I guess.
No, especially not after how he spoke about our Club. Raya is about to clinch the Golden Glove in his first season with us, pipe down.
Agreed, I don’t like Martinez, he was horrible at the world cup and pretty much since!! Not the sort of player we want at arsenal!!!
Fuck Martinez, especially one that costs £60
Top trolling.
Leave Raya alone, he already has to put up with Trossard towering over him.
Superb attention to detail on the development and improvement of individual players, all in the context of improving team chemistry and dynamics. Best young manager on the planet.
Up there with Xabi Alonso.
James obviously needs to check his sources on potential transfers, haha
Well Arteta’s hardly going to say “I’ve got a fresh Jesus, straight out of the oven! Come and get him!”
Silly season has started.
We’re also being linked with Guimaraes (and having a fire she to fund that purchase), who ranks just above Leprosy on the list of things I’d like us to get.
Partey,Rice & Odegaard is a partnership we’ve always dreamt of, unfortunately Partey is always injured.
I would not be too bothered if Jesus left to be honest, especially if we can get more than we paid for him.
His attacking stats are pretty poor when compared to our other attacking players and his wages exceed £1 million per month.
I like him, but the thought of using the resources being wasted on him on a player who can score 20+ goals a season makes much more sense.