Mikel Arteta Sets Sights on Premier League Glory: “Arsenal Players Want More”

As Arsenal gears up for the new Premier League season, manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that his players are more determined than ever to topple Manchester City and secure their first league title since 2004. After finishing just two points behind City last season, the Gunners are hungry for more, and Arteta believes this could be the year they finally break City’s dominance.

Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s season opener against Wolves at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta shared insights from a post-season gathering where the team, along with owner and co-chairman Josh Kroenke, reflected on their near-miss. “All the players were saying to me, ‘We’re going to be better, we’re going to do it, we want more,'” Arteta recounted. “They are the ones driving that ambition, so that’s always positive.”

The Gunners have been steadily improving under Arteta, moving from 56 points in the 2019-20 season to an impressive 89 points last year. However, no team in Premier League history has improved its points tally in five consecutive seasons—a feat Arsenal may need to accomplish to dethrone City, who are chasing a record fifth consecutive title.

Despite the progress, Arteta acknowledges that his team is far from perfect. “We’re still very far from perfection,” he admitted. “This team still has levels to reach, and they give me reasons to believe that because I see the way they train and the way they play every day. I believe there is still big room to improve.”

One area of concern, as highlighted by former England captain Alan Shearer, is the lack of a prolific goalscorer. In his BBC Sport column, Shearer suggested that a top striker could be the missing piece in Arsenal’s title puzzle. “If Arsenal sign a top striker, then I would back them to go on and win the league,” Shearer wrote.

Arteta, however, remains focused on the positives as his squad prepares for the new campaign. “We are really excited,” he said. “We’ve been missing the competition for many weeks, too long for us. We’re so willing to start, really enthusiastic about it. We had a really challenging pre-season. The team has looked really sharp, really at it, and desperate to play.”

As Arsenal fans eagerly await the start of the season, the team’s collective hunger for success could be the driving force that propels them to the top. With Arteta at the helm and a squad determined to improve, the Gunners may finally be ready to reclaim their place as Premier League champions.

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