‘I don’t get it’: Mikel Arteta now admits he’s not sure how 21-year-old and £27m Arsenal man speak on the pitch

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Arsenal face a tough challenge in the Premier League today, when they travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.

Mikel Arteta was speaking to the press ahead of their penultimate league game before the World Cup.

The Gunners started the weekend top of the league, although Manchester City’s last-minute win against Fulham has seen them fall to second.

That won’t be the most concerning thing for Arteta right now, but Arsenal will want to go into the World Cup break on a high.

The Arsenal manager was asked about the partnership two of his players have developed.

Arteta has made a habit of sticking with the same team when possible in the league.

Two players who have started alongside each other every match this season are Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.

Arteta was asked about the defenders, and admitted he sometimes didn’t understand Gabriel and Saliba.

He reflected that they often use a language he doesn’t understand to communicate, but that it works well for them.

Arteta doesn’t understand Gabriel and Saliba sometimes

Previewing his side’s clash with Chelsea, Arteta was asked about the pair’s relationship.

“I think really good, (they get on) really naturally,” Arteta said.

“There is that connection, a personal connection first and you can feel it, that chemistry.

“I think they make each other better, and I think they’ve been really, really consistent in terms of their performances as well.

When asked what language the pair use to talk to each other, Arteta added: “It’s a mix, between French, England and Brazilian, sometimes I don’t get it, but they understand each other so it’s fine.”

Even if Arteta doesn’t always understand Gabriel and Saliba, their lack of a shared, fluent language doesn’t seem to have affected them too badly yet.

The £27m Brazilian defender has certainly taken Saliba under his wing this season.

Gabriel is only 24, but is the senior centre-back in Arteta’s set-up and has really impressed Edu this season.

Saliba has been like a new signing for Arsenal in this campaign, and despite believing he’s not in the best form, has certainly played a big part in their improvement.

Arteta will hope that Gabriel and Saliba’s understanding of each other’s games continues to improve as they play together.