Arsenal have ‘belief’ to end trophy drought, says Mikel Arteta
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has not won a trophy since lifting the FA Cup in his debut season in charge in 2019-20.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the Gunners believe this season will be different as they aim to get over a series of near misses at winning silverware.
Arteta has not won a trophy since lifting the FA Cup in his debut season in charge in 2019-20. However, he has transformed Arsenal back into serial contenders for major trophies.
His team have finished second in the Premier League for the past three years and last season reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009.
The pressure is now on the Spaniard to get over the line after another major investment in new players in the transfer window.
Nearly £200 million (S$345 million) was spent on 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 on Aug 6.
“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.”
Arteta added that he wants his players to feel “invincible” at home thanks to a special connection with the 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,” he said.
“That we play with such passion, energy and connection with our people, that we are going to win the game.”
Arsenal begin their Premier League campaign with a blockbuster trip to Manchester United on Aug 17.
In other news, Alexander Isak’s future at Newcastle United hangs in the balance after the Swedish striker was reportedly told to train apart from the rest of the squad on Aug 6.
The 25-year-old has been linked with a British transfer record move to Liverpool after failing to feature in Newcastle’s pre-season preparations.
He missed the Magpies’ trip to Singapore and South Korea, citing a minor thigh injury, and instead flew to Spain to train at former club Real Sociedad. He has since returned to Tyneside, but Sky Sports reported that he was instructed to train after the rest of the squad had departed on Aug 6.
“You have to earn the right to train with us. We will make sure that any player earns the right to train with the group. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal,” said manager Eddie Howe earlier in pre-season.
Liverpool have seen a £110 million bid for Isak rejected, according to reports, with Newcastle seeking closer to £150 million. AFP
