Football: ‘No excuses’ for Arsenal in title bid after January spending, says Arteta
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Sean Dyche was appointed as the new Everton manager after the club sacked Frank Lampard.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Mikel Arteta said Arsenal can have no excuses if they do not win the English Premier League title for the first time in nearly two decades after strengthening their squad during the January transfer window.
Arteta splashed out more than £50 million (S$79.8 million) on three new signings as the club look to hold on to their lead at the top of the table, bringing in Italy midfielder Jorginho, Belgium forward Leandro Trossard and Poland defender Jakub Kiwior.
The Gunners are five points clear of second-placed Manchester City with a game in hand on the champions, and Arteta knows his side are perfectly placed to win the club’s first league title since 2004.
He was asked on Friday about whether there would now be no excuses if Arsenal failed to get over the line.
“If you want to put it that way, that’s fine,” said the Spaniard.
“What we have to do is train really well and win, and play well to win. That’s the only thing we can do.”
Arsenal would have spent even more on new signings in January, but they missed out on Ukraine winger Mykhailo Mudryk, who instead joined Chelsea, and Brighton & Hove Albion’s highly rated midfielder Moises Caicedo.
Despite those frustrations, Arteta is pleased with the backing he received from the club’s hierarchy.
“I’m really happy with what we’ve done,” he said ahead of Saturday’s trip to struggling Everton. “We knew that in this market you have to adapt and be flexible and ready for inconvenience.
“We’ve done that and the most important thing is the profile of the person, and the quality that we bring in makes us better.
“We had three main key areas of positions that we wanted to improve and fulfil. It was tricky but positive in the end.”
Arteta received more good news on Friday, with the confirmation that Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli has signed a new long-term contract.
Arsenal have yet to win at Goodison Park under the Spaniard and he knows Everton could get a boost from the appointment of new boss Sean Dyche.
“We have the experience in the last few years about how tough it has been, and we didn’t get the results that we wanted,” said Arteta, who once played for Everton.
“When there is a new manager the environment will change, so it’s going to be a really tough test.”
Dyche was appointed on Monday
Everton are 19th in the league, above Southampton on goal difference, but they are only two points from safety, and Dyche said he and the squad have the desire to put things right.
“Behind the outside noise, it’s a fantastic football club that means a lot to its fans,” said the 51-year-old Englishman, who will have a daunting first game in charge.
“The history, the feel of it – possibly if it wasn’t in the shape it was in, maybe I wouldn’t get the chance. But I don’t mind that. If they deem my skill set to deliver it, I will deliver it.
“I’m not going to be here forever, I said it about Burnley. But when I’m here, I’ll protect it, I’ll make sure it’s given every way to be successful.
“A heartbeat for this club is important and I’ve got a big heart, that’s not a bad start.”
But his start on Saturday could not be tougher as Arsenal have lost only one of their 19 league matches.
“Fine side, obviously people are talking about (Arsenal) winning the title,” added Dyche, who beat the Gunners only once in 15 games with Burnley.
“They’re having a very good time of it. But they’ll realise that we’re ready for the challenge. They won’t be underestimating the strength of our challenge.”
Everton failed to sign a single player in the January transfer window – the only English club not to add to their squad – and did not replace Anthony Gordon, who signed for Newcastle United in a £45 million deal.
But Dyche said he was happy with the squad and would not sign new recruits for the sake of transfer business.
“Since I came in on Saturday, all I’ve seen is hard work. I’ve been leaving here late at night, the chairman was on the phone constantly,” he said.
“Phone calls were made, the offers were made, it didn’t get to them whatever the reason. But the thing is they’ve got to be better than the players here.
“There’s some very talented players here. Our job is to guide them to better days and polish them up a bit, maybe a different way of looking at the game and give them the freedom to play.”
Dyche will be without the injured Andros Townsend, Nathan Patterson, James Garner, Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey for the Goodison Park clash.
Arsenal will miss Mohamed Elneny, Gabriel Jesus, Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe, while Thomas Partey is a doubt and that means Jorginho is likely to make his debut after joining on deadline day. AFP, REUTERS
