ARTETA CONFIRMS ARSENAL IN SEARCH FOR SALIBA REPLACEMENT AS EPL KICKS OFF FRIDAY

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By:Tajudeen Aminat

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the club is looking to sign another defender following William Saliba’s long-term injury and the team’s limited options in defence.

Arteta made this known on Thursday during his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium on Friday.

The Spanish tactician said the Gunners remain active in the transfer market as they seek to strengthen the squad, particularly in defence.

“We are really active in the market. The ambition is to improve the squad. We have a really specific issue in the backline, especially with the long-term injury of Wilo [Saliba] and the fact that we miss one more defender,” Arteta said.

He added that the club would announce a new signing once a deal was completed.

Asked whether Arsenal were close to securing a defender, Arteta said the club was doing everything possible but stressed that the outcome was not entirely within his control.

Arteta also confirmed that Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are fit and available for the opening fixture, while Jurriën Timber is yet to resume full team training.

The Arsenal boss said maintaining a deep squad was crucial given the demands of the season and the injury problems the team experienced last campaign.

He also expressed his desire for Arsenal to be more dominant this season, saying improved player availability would be key to achieving wider winning margins.

Meanwhile, Arteta confirmed that Myles Lewis-Skelly would remain an Arsenal player after the transfer window closes.

Arsenal enter the new campaign as Premier League champions after winning the title last season, but Arteta said the team must start from scratch and prove itself again on the pitch.

The manager also reiterated Arsenal’s ambition to defend their league crown, insisting the club was determined to retain the title.

Multiple reports have also linked Arsenal with Aston Villa and England defender Ezri Konsa as the club searches for defensive reinforcement.