Mikel Arteta: “If Saliba and Konsa are both fit, it’s problems of the rich”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made a standout comment about the fitness of his back line, saying: “If Saliba and Konsa are both fit, it’s problems of the rich”, as reported by L’Équipe.

The quote underlines the competition Arteta has at the heart of his defence. With William Saliba and Marc Guehi (Konsa in the quote) ready at full level, choosing the starting partnership stops being a concern and becomes an advantage.

For the Gunners, that perspective ties directly to game planning: more solidity in matches and the ability to keep standards high without having to sacrifice stability.