Mikel Arteta exclusive: Arsenal defence 'critical' in Premier League title race, praises William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal’s impressive defence could be "critical" to their Premier League title ambitions this season, and praised William Saliba and Jakub Kiwior for their contributions in the Gunners backline.

Arsenal kept their league-leading 12th clean sheet of the campaign as they drew 0-0 with title rivals Manchester City on Sunday.

City and Liverpool are next best with nine clean sheets, while the Gunners also remain the team with the best defence in the division having conceded just 24 goals in 29 games.

Ahead of their next league outing at home to Luton, live on TNT Sports 2 and discovery+ on Wednesday, Arteta has spoken about the importance of Arsenal remaining difficult to break down if they are to win the title.

“I think that's going to be critical,” Arteta said in an exclusive interview with TNT Sports.

“I think if you want to win championships, your defence has to be extremely consistent and very difficult to beat.

“We have that and it's great to have the players, how they live their defensive phase and the contribution that they put in every ball to make it really difficult for the opponent.”

One of the Gunners’ standout performers in their backline has been William Saliba, who won the Player of the Match award following the draw at the Etihad, in addition to collecting the same accolade when Arsenal held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at Anfield earlier in the season.

Saliba is the only player to have featured in all 12 matches Arsenal have kept a clean sheets, helping them face the second-fewest shots in the league (244) and an xG against of 24.51 which is the lowest in the league (stats via WhoScored?).

Arteta was happy to praise Saliba but also quick to point out that his team-mates have helped him become such an integral player this season.

“He deserves a lot of credit," said Arteta. "Because at his age to do what he’s doing at a top club, it’s very difficult.

“And that's credit to him, but as well as the people he’s had in his pathway that have brought him to this point in the best possible condition.

“And then as well his team-mates. You know, in the end, you are as good as the people you are surrounded with, and I think he’s very lucky to have the people that he plays alongside and to do the job that he needs to do.”

With Saliba alongside centre-back partner Gabriel, Arsenal have conceded just four Premier League goals in 2024 and remarkably, in two matches against Erling Haaland, restricted the otherwise freescoring City hitman to a grand total of zero shots.

The stalemate in Manchester also meant that Arsenal prevented City scoring at home for the first time in 57 games in all competitions, and Arteta noted that he was pleased to see Saliba as a part of an increasingly strong defensive unit.

He added: “More than that [his partnership with Gabriel], I think it's as well with the holding midfielders and the full-backs and the goalkeeper and the relationship that they have as well, with the coaches to instil that desire as well to defend and defend our house the way we have to do it."

Another key presence in the Arsenal backline currently is Kiwior, who has started the last 10 Premier League matches, mostly at left-back.

In the absence of Oleksander Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu, the Polish defender has seamlessly found his feet in an otherwise unfamiliar position having nominally been signed as a centre-back.

Arteta expressed his delight at Kiwior's versatility and the manner in which he has performed after stepping in.

“Very good!” effused the Spaniard. “Especially because obviously he had not a lot of moments before. We had some injuries, and we are asking him to play in a position that he hasn't played, and he's adapting very fast and his performances, they've been really consistent.

“And that's why you need the players that when you call on them, they step in and they get the job done.”

With Arteta no doubt delighted to have Kiwior perform as an able deputy, the Gunners boss is also happy to welcome back several injured players from the treatment table ahead of a busy final stretch of the campaign.

Against City, the Gunners boss was able to bring Thomas Partey, Gabriel Martinelli and Tomiyasu off the bench, highlighting what he believes is improved strength in depth as his side challenges in the league and UEFA Champions League.

With long-term absentee Jurrien Timber the only major injury concern, Arteta suggested that the competition for places is only going to benefit the players and his team.

“I don't think they're gonna be happy to be on the bench,” he said of his squad. “But they have to be super happy. And they have to have the mindset to impact the game and the team when they’re required.

“Some of them, because they've been out for a long, long, long time, they are really willing to make a huge contribution to a team because they have missed a lot of football.”

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