Mikel Arteta’s chat with £18m star revealed as Arsenal told they will have Frenchman next season


Welcome to our football.london The Arsenal Way daily news round-up. Maybe not the first, we’ve definitely done transfer round-ups before, and European round-ups, so I guess in some ways it’s not that new at all. Anyway, we thought we would enter the world of football in a broad and roundabout manner for you and have some fun with some of the stories and captions doing the daily rounds.

Arteta nominated for award

Mikel Arteta has been nominated for the Premier League manager of the month for September to recognise Arsenal’s three wins from three, including a north London derby triumph.

The Gunners began the month with a 1-0 win over Norwich at the Emirates following the international break before going on to defeat Burnley at Turf Moore thanks to a delicately lofted free-kick scored by Martin Odegaard.

Arsenal then finished the month in spectacular fashion with a rampant north London derby win over Tottenham, easing the pressure that had mounted on the Gunners boss following a series of poor results in August.

Arteta joins himself nominated alongside Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Dean Smith and this weekend’s rival, Graham Potter.

Lokonga explains honest chat with Arteta

Albert Sambi Lokonga has revealed the details behind the brutally honest discussion in his first conversation with Arteta which saw the Spaniard tell the youngster about his flaws.

The 21-year-old midfielder, who joined the Gunners from Anderlecht over the summer for around £18 million, alluded to the empowerment he felt in speaking to Arteta, as the Arsenal boss communicated his understanding in Lokonga’s game and desires.

Speaking to Belgian outlet Sport Foot Magazine, the Belgium international said: “When I first spoke to Mikel Arteta, I immediately saw that he had understood my game, who I was and who I could potentially become.

“That’s when I told myself that things were going to stick between Arsenal and me. Don’t worry, he also told me about my flaws.”

Saliba mistaken for Van Dijk

William Saliba’s fitness coach, Nicolas St-Maurice, has compared the Arsenal defender to Virgil van Dijk following the France youth international’s striking similarities to the Liverpool centre-half.

In an exclusive interview with football.london, Saliba’s coach – better known as ‘The Power Coach’ – then spoke on the Frenchman’s desire to return to the Emirates and stake his claim for a starting role following his loan at Marseille.

St-Maurice said: “When I first saw him I thought of Van Dijk because of his positions of plays and he has the right potential to make it far.



William Saliba continues to impress while on loan at Marseille
William Saliba continues to impress while on loan at Marseille

“William is humble. Arsenal fans are annoyed right now because he’s not at the club and he’s doing really well in Marseille but I think last season he missed some games on top of COVID.

“Saliba needs to play more and he will come good. He does not want to come to Arsenal and sit on the bench – that’s not his mentality. He wants to be playing for Arsenal. I think next season he will make a solid case for himself.”

Southgate gives reason behind Smith Rowe omission

Gareth Southgate has called up Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka to the England squad but has left out fellow Gunner Emile Smith Rowe despite his flourishing displays of late.



Emile Smith Rowe celebrates scoring the 1st Arsenal goal vs Spurs. (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Emile Smith Rowe celebrates scoring the 1st Arsenal goal vs Spurs. (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

The Three Lions boss shed light on his decision to leave out Arsenal’s number ten, claiming that Smith Rowe was close to making the squad but pledged that he doesn’t want a call-up to lose its significance.

Southgate said: “He is a player we like a lot and was very close to making this squad. At this moment in time I don’t want to bring in any more younger players out of the Under-21s.

“They have got to earn that right over a longer period.”

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