Mikel Arteta did not want to talk about Erling Haaland’s new mega contract at Manchester City when asked about it at his latest press conference.
The Spaniard has been undone by Haaland’s goals over the past few seasons as Arsenal narrowly fell short in their bid to end their two-decade wait for a fourth Premier League title.
City, who are still awaiting a verdict from an independent commission on the alleged 115 breaches Premier League financial rules, confirmed on Friday that Haaland had signed a new nine-and-a-half-year deal that runs until 2034 – which is tipped to make him one of the highest-paid athletes in all of professional sport.
Arteta, fresh from a A 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in north London Derby, is preparing to welcome Aston Villa to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday night, but the first question at his press conference was about the announcement of his rival’s blockbuster.
“Well, that’s news. If they’re willing to commit to a player for so long, it’s because they’re really happy, which is good news for them,” Arteta replied.
Responding later on whether long-term contracts like Haaland’s would become the norm in the future, the Gunners boss said: “I don’t know. It seems like there’s obviously been a few examples of that. I don’t know. I don’t know if every club is going to go down that road, I think that these will be very special cases, with the fact that we work ten-year contracts for physiotherapists and journalists, I don’t know.”
Arteta then discussed Arsenalthe ability to handle pressure as they compete to hunt for tablecloths Liverpoolconfidently admitting that something is wrong if that pressure to perform doesn’t come from within.
“I think if you want to fight for top trophies with top teams like we have been in the last eleven months, two and a half years now, you have to enjoy those moments, those circumstances, those challenges, the pressure that comes with it because I think to play to win and that is exactly where we want to be.
“I think the pressure comes from within. I don’t think anyone can put pressure on you. I think that’s the wrong way and if that’s the case, you’re probably not working or preparing the right way. You have to try to be the best you can be and there’s no more pressure it’s up to you, everyday, when you have that commitment to yourself to achieve it.”
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