Arteta issues surprise Arsenal update and sends message ahead of contract talks
Arsenal are set to enter contract talks with two of their breakout stars while Mikel Arteta has provided a surprising update ahead of Saturday’s clash with Brentford
Arsenal enjoyed one of the best results in their modern history on Tuesday but it’ll all be for nothing if they don’t finish the job. The Gunners thrashed Real Madrid 3-0 in their Champions League quarter-final first leg, dominating the 15-time kings of Europe.
Mikel Arteta’s side travel to Spain for round two next Wednesday looking to seal their semi-final spot but firstly, they’ve got to take on Brentford. Arsenal play host the Bees in effort to keep their flickering hopes of lifting the Premier League title alive.
‘Over my dead body’ was the vow Arteta gave when the Gunners found themselves 11 points behind in February, so he’ll be desperate to keep runaway leaders Liverpool honest and recover from last Saturday’s deflating 1-1 draw away to Everton.
Arsenal have been decimated by injuries this term but there’s good news on that front. Plus, one of the club’s former bigwigs has crossed into enemy territory for a new job.
Here’s a round-up of the latest news from the Emirates.
READ MORE: Declan Rice receives advice from Gary Lineker after Arsenal star’s free-kick heroicsREAD MORE: Jamie Carragher offers Mikel Arteta lifeline as he makes Arsenal and Liverpool comparison
Arteta provides shock Havertz injury update
Kai Havertz could play for Arsenal again before the end of this season, Mikel Arteta has revealed. The German’s injury, which he picked up in February, was set to rule him out until the summer but Arteta hopes that Havertz, 25, can return some time next month.
“Hopefully we can have him, but let’s wait,” the Arsenal boss told reporters on Friday. “Once you get to the last stage of the rehab is when you can better understand how close or far away you are to making that next step.”
Read Arteta’s full comments on Havertz here.
Would Kai Havertz come straight back into the Arsenal starting XI? Have your say in the comments section.
Arteta sends message to Gunners chiefs ahead of contract talks
Mikel Arteta has told Arsenal chiefs to make Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly feel ‘important’ and ‘valued’ during contract talks. Both Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly’s current deals expire in the summer of 2026.
Asked how important it is to secure the teenage duo’s long-term futures, Arteta replied: “For sure. I mean, if we have to put energy, the most energy we have to put is making sure that the players that we have with us are happy, they feel valued, they feel very much part of what we are doing, they feel important.
“And then the rest of the necessities, we can look, especially in our academy first and then if we cannot do that, elsewhere. Myles has played a lot, and Ethan has played a lot, I think. He started a few days ago against Everton away.
“I mean, this is the Premier League, and we are talking about 17, 18-year-old kids that never played professional football, playing that much football. I’m very happy because they deserve it (to play) and they will continue to play.”
Ex-Arsenal chief lands Tottenham job
Tottenham have confirmed the appointment of former Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham as their new CEO. Venkatesham, 44, ended his long-term association with Arsenal last year, having joined the club in 2010.
The British-Indian businessman also held roles as Arsenal’s managing director and chief commercial officer but stepped down to ‘pursue another challenge’. That challenge has presented itself at his former employers’ bitter rivals, as Spurs announced his appointment on Friday.
Read Tottenham’s statement on Venkatesham here.
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Sky Sports launches discounted Premier League package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £192 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
