Why Arsenal WANT Vini Jr | Mikel Arteta REACTS

Football

Year2026

Duration4m

Watch Now

7.9

Mikel Arteta smiles when asked about Arsenal’s reported attempt to lure Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr to the Emirates this summer. Arteta was speaking to the media for the first time this season after the Gunners beat Girona 4-1 in their first pre-season outing. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 INTRO 0:03 How was that? "It was great. It was a different summer in terms of the time off that we had. Obviously, last week, we played a game in-house, and I was very pleased with that. And today as well, I think I've seen a lot of things that make me be very, very positive." A year ago, Max Dowman had an incredible pre-season, burst onto the scene. This time he's starting, assisting, scoring. People are going to have a lot of expectations for this season on him? "That's what we want. When you play for Arsenal, the expectations should be high and should be expecting really good things. We know what he's capable of doing. We want to be more consistent in terms of the performances and the actions that he can deliver. But I think today he had a really good game." Just on Christos Tzolis - what are you looking for from him this season? "Well, I'm very pleased with him. First of all, the way he has adapted to the club, to the team. The connection he's already generating with the boys. And I think you're going to love the player. A player who's very direct. He's got the goal between the eyes. I think really good linking up. He has a lot of similarities with Leo in a lot of the things that he can do and the spaces he can occupy. And then the work rate that he has. He's a boy that comes with so much hunger as well. He wants to prove himself, it's a dream for him. And we are here to help him." And Ethan, back in midfield today. Do you have any kind of goals for him this season? Obviously, last year maybe didn't go as well as you guys would have wanted. But what are your thoughts on him? "On the pitch, he didn't because a lot happened in Marseille. But when you just stand in front of him, you sense the maturity. And it looks like a differ