Arsenal is currently leading both the premier league and their champions league group. The team will also face Chelsea in the league cup semifinals and play lower-division club Portsmouth in the FA cup third round on 11/1. When asked by ESPN about the possibility of winning multiple trophies this season, defender William Saliba said, "of course. Arsenal has a chance to win any competition we participate in. In the past three seasons, we have come very close to winning the premier league title. Last season, the team also reached the champions league and league cup semifinals, so we understand that we can win every competition."

Saliba also emphasized the individual value of each trophy. "When looking back at one's career, people count the number of titles won. The league cup is also a trophy, and having reached the semifinals, of course, we want to win it, just like every other competition Arsenal participates in," the 24-year-old player expressed.

Coach Mikel Arteta during an arsenal training session on 26/12. Photo: Arsenal FC

However, during the press conference before the premier league round 18 match against Brighton, when asked about his player's statement, Mikel Arteta was cautious. "I am only thinking about going home, getting some rest, enjoying one day, and then starting to talk about the Brighton match. That is what we have to do."

Arteta took over Arsenal from Unai Emery in 2019, winning one FA cup and two FA community shields. The Spanish coach led Arsenal back to the champions league after seven years and competed for the premier league title with Man City and Liverpool in the three recent seasons, finishing second each time. He is therefore under significant performance pressure.

Today's opponent, Brighton, previously left Arsenal with a bitter memory. In a match in 8/2024, Declan Rice received a second yellow card simply for kicking the ball away as Joel Veltman prepared to take a free kick. The two teams drew 1-1 in that game. One month later, a similar frustration occurred when Leandro Trossard was sent off against Man City for kicking the ball into the stands.

"I remember it very clearly. I was truly frustrated with how we played with only 10 players. Hopefully, this time things will be very different," Arteta said about Rice's sending-off last season. "I think the rules are different now. We paid a heavy price for how the rules were applied then, and I hope that doesn't happen again, so we can continue to play with all 11 players."

Last season, Arsenal received six red cards, at least three more than any other premier league team. This season, however, they are leading the premier league fair play table with only 22 yellow cards and no red cards after 17 matches. When asked about this statistic, Arteta expressed surprise: "I did not know that. But that's good, very good."

by Hong Duy