Mikel Arteta Aims to Make Arsenal Best Club in the World

Mikel Arteta expressed his excitement about building Arsenal into the best club in the world following their Premier League triumph. “You need the best facilities, the best stadium, the best supporters, and you need the best squad and the best players in the world,” he shared at a Premier League launch event.

The Gunners begin their title defense against Coventry, having already secured key signings like Christian Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes to enhance their squad. This victory marks a significant milestone as Arsenal lifted the Premier League trophy for the first time in 22 years last season.

Arteta emphasized that the club’s ambition is shared by the owners, stating, “It’s certainly the ambition of the club and the owners to be the best club in the world.” He believes that having top-tier players is essential for success. “Those are the ones that win you football matches and the ones that can be decisive when it matters,” he added.

As reigning champions, Arsenal are currently viewed as favorites to secure another title, a status they reinforced with a dominant 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield. Yet, Arteta remains focused on instilling a winning mentality within his players, highlighting that their drive for improvement is key to maintaining their status. “For me, it’s when I look into the eyes of my players and I see that fire, that desire and the will to be better every single day. That’s the only thing that I care about,” Arteta stated.

Historically, Arsenal faces challenges in defending their title, having not done so since the 1990s. Nevertheless, Arteta sees this as a chance for growth, saying, “That’s an opportunity that we have ahead, and we are very conscious of what it’s going to take to deliver that.” His sense of ambition resonates within the team, fostering a belief that they can achieve their goals.

Arsenal’s Chief Executive Richard Garlick added that the club is keen on signing impactful players. “It’s players that are going to take Arsenal forward. In the past we’ve looked at players that maybe helped build out the squad or get us to a certain level, but now we’re competing right at the top level,” he remarked.

The club has invested £143.5 million on four summer signings, including defender Piero Hincapie, as they target further reinforcements. Garlick noted that they are open to exploring opportunities during the transfer window to strengthen their squad.

As the window remains open, Arsenal aims to secure a forward and a defender to cover potential injuries like that of William Saliba. With keen interest in players such as Ezri Konsa and Julian Alvarez, Arsenal continues to assess their options for enhancing their squad.

While the pursuit of high-profile signings is challenging, especially after Vinicius Junior’s decision to stay at Real Madrid, Arsenal remains committed to identifying talent that aligns with their aspirations for soccer excellence.

As the season approaches, Arsenal’s strategic moves are designed to maintain their competitive edge while being financially sustainable by considering sales of certain players.