Arsenal Aims for Silverware as Season Progresses

omidbasir- Arsenal is currently enjoying a positive run as they aim to expand their trophy cabinet for the first time since their FA Cup victory in 2020.

Under the management of Mikel Arteta, the team holds a two-point lead over second-placed Manchester City in the Premier League standings. Their recent triumph against Crystal Palace in a penalty shootout has secured them a place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, where they will face Chelsea in a two-legged tie.

In addition to their domestic success, Arsenal is also performing well in the Champions League, sitting at the top of the group after winning all six of their matches. The team’s FA Cup journey will commence with a third-round match against Portsmouth on January 11.

In recent years, Arsenal has come close to ending their long wait for a major trophy under Arteta’s leadership. The club has finished second in the Premier League for three consecutive seasons and faced defeats in both the League Cup and Champions League semi-finals last year.

Following a productive summer transfer window, where significant signings like Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, and Viktor Gyokeres joined the squad, defender William Saliba expressed confidence in the team’s ability to secure multiple trophies this season. Arsenal has also bolstered its roster with the additions of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, defenders Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera, midfielder Christian Norgaard, and winger Noni Madueke.

Ahead of their upcoming league match against Brighton and Hove Albion, Saliba remarked, “We know that in every competition we play, we can win it. However, we must demonstrate this on the pitch and start winning trophies now. The atmosphere is positive, but as we are still in December, we must remain focused and believe in ourselves. What truly matters is holding the trophies at the end of the season, not before.”

Saliba’s challenge to his teammates echoes his earlier sentiments from October, where he emphasized his desire to win a major trophy upon signing a new long-term contract with Arsenal. “We want everything,” he stated before a Champions League match against Olympiacos. “We compete in every tournament to win. I feel at home here, and with our strong team and coaching staff, I am eager to win titles with this club.”

Before signing the contract extension, Saliba had only two years left on his previous deal, leading to speculation that Real Madrid might attempt to acquire him in the summer of 2026.

The 24-year-old defender joined Arsenal from French club Saint-Etienne in 2019 and has since made 152 appearances, scoring seven goals. During his tenure in England, he has developed a formidable defensive partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes, contributing to Arsenal conceding just 10 league goals in 17 matches this season and only once in six Champions League outings.

Arsenal will strive to maintain their lead atop the Premier League when they host Brighton at the Emirates Stadium this weekend, while title challengers Manchester City will be playing against Nottingham Forest earlier that day.

Following the victory over Crystal Palace, Arteta expressed his satisfaction: “I’m very happy. We’re in the semi-final, which is where we aimed to be. Despite the numerous changes we made, the team’s cohesion, energy, and quality were impressive against a well-organized team that concedes few chances. We created numerous opportunities, and the final margin could have been much greater after 94 minutes.”