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William Saliba has revealed the extent of his desperation to end Arsenal’s 22-year title drought, admitting he thinks about winning the Premier League “even when I sleep.”
The French defender opened up about the pain of [Sunday’s defeat at Manchester City](https://dailyafc.com/players/william-saliba/) and stressed that the Gunners cannot afford another slip-up when they host struggling Newcastle on Saturday.
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“I hate to lose, especially this kind of game,” [Saliba told the Men In Blazers Media Network](https://www.dailymail.com/sport/football/article-15764437/I-think-title-Im-sleeping-William-Saliba-Arsenals-mission-end-22-years-title-pain.html). “You feel sad at home, you think about it a lot but you have to focus on what is next. We didn’t deserve to lose at City, we didn’t take chances. We have to win every game now to win the title.”
The 25-year-old centre-back made it clear just how much landing his first major piece of silverware means to him, saying: “Even when I sleep, I think about it, when you are close to achieving your dream in the Champions League and Premier League.”
“I haven’t won anything big in my career yet but I will give everything to win the title and the Champions League. The most difficult is the first one and then you have won it I am sure it is easier.”
Saka boost ahead of Newcastle clash
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Saliba admitted he “needed two days” to get over the City defeat but received a major boost ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Magpies. Mikel Arteta confirmed that both Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori were likely to be available for selection.
Saka has been absent since Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final defeat to City last month due to an achilles issue. In his absence, the Gunners have managed just one victory in five games across all competitions.
“We have missed him, he is a key player and we need him now,” Saliba explained. “He brings calmness and we are better with him in the team. The last few games have not been great but we learn and move on to this weekend’s game to change everything.”
Five wins needed for glory
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The France international is certain that Arsenal will need maximum points from their remaining five Premier League fixtures to be crowned champions for the first time since 2004.
With the title race reaching its climax, Saliba’s honest admission about his sleepless nights shows just how much this opportunity means to a squad that has come agonisingly close in recent seasons.
Saturday’s home fixture against out-of-form Newcastle represents another crucial hurdle in Arsenal’s quest to end over two decades of Premier League pain.