Arsenalhave had a decent start to their 2025/26 campaign with three out four wins in the Premier League and a 2-0 win over Athletic Club in the Champions League in Bilbao.
The Gunners only lost to Liverpool, that too from a sensational freekick goal scored by Dominik Szoboszlai in a 1-0 defeat at Anfield.
Overall, Arsenal have looked exceptionally assured in defense whilst searching for the right combination in attack.
The north London outfit are now hosting Manchester City at the Emirates on Sunday, and they will also welcome the Citizens talisman Erling Haaland, who is fiery goalscoring form.
The Norwegian scored a brace in the Manchester Derby and also continued his goalscoring spree with a goal against Napoli in the midweek Champions League fixture.
The 25-year-old is currently the highest goal scorer in the Premier League this season with five goals from four games.
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On the other hand, Arsenal have kept four clean sheets this season across competitions and the only goal that they conceded was against Liverpool.
Therefore, Mikel Arteta is confident that Arsenal has the personnel to deal with Haaland as defense looks like their best suit.
What did Mikel Arteta say about Arsenal dealing with Haaland's threat?
Arsenal were one of the best defensive outfits in European football last season and best in the Premier League and this summer they have added more players on that front.
New signing Cristhian Mosquera has had an instant impact while deputizing for an injured William Saliba. Apart from the Spaniard, Piero Hincapie is another player who has joined Arsenal this summer and has a lot to offer to this stacked backline.
However, Arsenal's leader of defense continues to Gabriel Magalhaes and Arteta has backed the Brazilian to deal with Haaland with aplomb.
"It’s his qualities," Arteta opined about Gabriel. "One of them is that he can get up to anybody in the world and he’s someone that really enjoys the defensive part, the contact, the physicality.
"When the game has to get to that part, he enjoys it and that’s a big quality to have and it’s very needed with someone as eager as Gaby that is so physical. You need to have those qualities to be efficient.”
It remains to be seen if Saliba is ready for action against City as the Frenchman has returned to training following his injury issue.
Or else, Gabriel will accompany Mosquera at the heart of the Arsenal defense, who has been extremely impressive in his first few games.
Arsenal news and related links
- Former Arsenal star tips Man United boss Ruben Amorim to be 'perfect fit' for Premier League rivals
- Arsenal star hails 'relentless' Cristhian Mosquera on his Champions League debut
- Mikel Arteta reveals truth about Arsenal substitutes following win over Athletic Club