Arsenal ace praises Mikel Arteta despite lack of game-time while Bukayo Saka ‘plays down’ Man City pressure

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The latest news headlines from Arsenal ahead of Leeds United fixture

Arsenal’s Matt Turner has heaped praise on Mikel Arteta but has admitted he wishes he was playing more games under the Spaniard. The goalkeeper is yet to feature in the Premier League since joining the Gunners from New England Revolution last summer.

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Turner was expected to line up as Aaron Ramsdale’s back-up this season and went onto become a regular in the Europa League, as well as featuring twice in the FA Cup. Despite spending much of the campaign looking on from the bench, the USA international has plenty of positives to say about his manager.

Speaking to CBS, Turner said: “He is a super respectful person. He has love not only for the players but also their families and their wives and kids. He goes up to them after games, he shakes their hand, looks them in the eye and gives them a hug and a kiss.

“It makes your family feel a part of the success as well. He’s done a great job of creating a [positive] atmosphere. I’m not the type of person who takes their job lightly. I want to be playing every single chance I can get.

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“I show up to training with the right mentality. I work really, really hard to improve in the areas I need to. I’m trying to compete to get onto the field. I think Aaron Ramsdale and I have become better goalkeepers from challenging each other.

“Obviously, he is having a great season and is making big saves in big moments. I can’t really complain with where I stand but I am working really, really hard. I hold him accountable and he holds me accountable. We’ve been developing a close relationship which has pushed us both forward.”

Bukayo Saka on Man City clash

Bukayo Saka has played down the increasing pressure on Arsenal ahead of their meeting with Man City later this month. Arsenal’s position at the top of the Premier League table could be in jeopardy after their draw with Liverpool at the weekend.

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Pep Guardiola’s side currently have a game in hand over the Gunners and the two teams could find themselves level on points of Arteta’s side are beaten at the Etihad Stadium. Saka has opened up on the upcoming match and has admitted the side need to ‘stay focused’.

Speaking to the club website, the winger said: “As players, we really want to do this. We know that everything is in our hands and we just have to keep going game by game.

“If we win these last eight games and get some good results, the title can be ours, so we just have to stay focused. It’s a long season and we have to be consistent all the way through, so that’s what we’ll try to do.

“I wouldn’t say [the Man City game] is the final, but maybe the semi-final because it’s massive, and so important as both teams are fighting at the top. It’s really close so it’ll be a massive game.”

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