Key Takeaways:
- Mikel Arteta has committed to Arsenal until summer 2030, signing a new contract this week
- Declan Rice could feature against Leeds United on Saturday after missing England duty with injury
- Christos Tzolis will miss several weeks due to a muscle injury, while Kai Havertz and Ezri Konsa face late fitness tests
Arteta Reflects on New Deal and Title Ambitions
Mikel Arteta addressed the media ahead of Arsenal’s upcoming Premier League fixture against Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on Saturday. The Gunners, who won their first four matches this season, suffered a 3-0 defeat at Brighton before the international break – their heaviest league loss since May 2023 – and will be seeking to get back to winning ways to keep their title ambitions alive.
This press conference marked Arteta’s first since formally signing a contract extension that ties him to the club through to the summer of 2030. The Spaniard expressed delight at committing his future to Arsenal, following last season’s title triumph, yet underlined that more challenges await: “My family are very grateful to be able to enjoy this unbelievable right to continue. I said from the beginning that me and the club wanted the same thing but I loved the way it was handled.
The most important thing is at the end, when you’re about to sign, looking around the room and seeing excitement in their eyes. That’s it, now I have to earn the right every single day to continue at this level”.
🚨 Mikel Arteta: “Christos Tzolis has a muscular injury and will be out for a few weeks. He is not available”. https://t.co/8bbKndXgQD
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 9, 2026
Team News: Rice in Contention, Tzolis Ruled Out
Arteta provided a detailed squad update, including the situation surrounding Declan Rice, who had withdrawn from international duty due to ongoing fitness concerns. On Rice’s potential participation this weekend, Arteta confirmed: “Yeah, we have to manage him because he’s had a few issues since he came back from the World Cup. Hopefully tomorrow he’s available and some others also are in doubt.”
Other squad absentees include Christos Tzolis, whose muscle injury will see him sidelined for multiple weeks. Arteta explained: “Tzolis has a muscle injury as he’s going to be out for a few weeks.” He further clarified Tzolis’s absence: “Yeah, he’s not available.”
Regarding additional fitness concerns, Arteta said: “With Kai, as he had a muscular injury, I spoke to Germany and they sent the player back as normal. Ezri, we had good communication with the England camp. Max (Dowman) is available. Kai (Havertz) and Ezri (Konsa), we will see tomorrow.”
