Mikel Arteta exclusivo: La defensa del Arsenal es ‘crucial’ en la carrera por el título de la Premier League, elogia a William Saliba y Jakub Kiwior.

Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, believes that their strong defense could play a crucial role in their pursuit of the Premier League title this season. He specifically praised the contributions of William Saliba and Jakub Kiwior in the Gunners’ backline.

Currently, Arsenal has the best defensive record in the league, having conceded only 24 goals in 29 games. This puts them ahead of Manchester City and Liverpool, who have nine clean sheets each.

Arteta emphasized the importance of remaining difficult to break down if Arsenal wants to win the title. He stated in an exclusive interview with TNT Sports, “I think that’s going to be critical. I think if you want to win championships, your defense has to be extremely consistent and very difficult to beat. We have that and it’s great to have the players, how they live their defensive phase and the contribution that they put in every ball to make it really difficult for the opponent.”

One standout performer in Arsenal’s defense has been William Saliba. He has been named the Player of the Match in matches against Manchester City and Liverpool. Saliba has played in all 12 matches in which Arsenal has kept a clean sheet, helping them face the second-fewest shots in the league. Arteta praised Saliba’s achievements but also acknowledged the role of his teammates in his success.

Arteta also highlighted the partnership between Saliba and Gabriel, stating that they have conceded only four Premier League goals in 2024. He commended their ability to restrict Erling Haaland, one of the league’s top scorers, to zero shots in their matches against Manchester City. Arteta emphasized that the defensive unit is not just about the center-back partnership but also the holding midfielders, full-backs, and goalkeeper.

Another key presence in Arsenal’s defense has been Jakub Kiwior, who has started the last 10 Premier League matches, mostly at left-back. Despite being signed as a center-back, Kiwior has adapted well to his new position. Arteta expressed his delight at Kiwior’s versatility and consistent performances.

Arteta is also pleased to welcome back several injured players, such as Thomas Partey, Gabriel Martinelli, and Takehiro Tomiyasu. He believes that the improved strength in depth will benefit the team as they compete in the league and UEFA Champions League. With only Jurrien Timber as a major injury concern, Arteta expects healthy competition for places, which will push the players to make a significant contribution when called upon.

Arsenal’s next league outing is against Luton Town, and the match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 2 and discovery+. Fans can subscribe to TNT Sports through various TV platforms. Arteta encourages supporters to find local establishments showing TNT Sports using the Pub Finder tool.