Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says the club is confident that this season will break the cycle of falling just short, as they set their sights on finally securing major silverware.
Since winning the FA Cup in his first season (2019/20), Arteta has rebuilt Arsenal into consistent title contenders. The Gunners have finished second in the Premier League for the past three seasons and reached their first Champions League semi-final since 2009 last term.
With expectations now higher than ever, pressure mounts on Arteta to deliver a trophy, especially following another heavy investment in the squad. Arsenal have spent nearly £200 million this summer, bringing in striker Viktor Gyokeres, midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, centre-back Cristhian Mosquera, winger Noni Madueke, and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
“We know what our targets are and what we want to achieve this season — there is a big belief in our ability to achieve that,” Arteta said in his programme notes ahead of Wednesday’s pre-season friendly against Villarreal.
“We have been very, very close the last few seasons and the whole team is going to determine whether we achieve that or not.
“But at the same time, we have to make sure that we don’t lose sight of what we have to do on a daily basis to get to the levels that we want.
“We have to set the demands that we want within this goal, because that’s the most important thing — the internal demands have to always exceed any external demand. That is what we are trying to achieve every single day.
“invincible” at home thanks to a special connection with the club’s fans.
“We want our people to start connecting with our players straight away, to start to build momentum and to start to feel that at home we are invincible.
“That we play here with such passion, energy and connection with our people, that we are going to win the game,he said.
