Arteta names Arsenal’s biggest challenge as he targets more Premier League glory

Arsenal manger Mikel Arteta has outlined his ambition to build a “dynasty” after finally guiding the club back to the Premier League summit.

Arsenal ended their 22-year wait for the title last season, but Arteta has made clear that the achievement is intended to represent the beginning rather than the culmination of his project.

Speaking in an extensive interview with Men in Blazers ahead of the new campaign, the Spaniard revealed that the desire throughout the club is already centred on repeating last season’s success.

“The energy that everybody has is like, ‘I want to do it again. I want to go through that emotion again’,” Arteta said.

Asked about creating a dynasty, he added: “This is what we want to create right now,” stressing that the ambition is shared by Arsenal’s ownership, board, staff and players.

That hunger has already manifested itself in players returning early from their holidays, while Arsenal have strengthened a title-winning squad with significant additions including Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis.

Arteta reserved particularly enthusiastic praise for £75 million arrival Guimaraes, describing the former Newcastle United captain as a “ball of fire and energy”.

The Arsenal boss believes the Brazilian will introduce greater aggression, rhythm and leadership while increasing competition within an already formidable midfield.

Arteta has also been assessing his own performance rather than simply demanding improvements from his players.

He revealed that he spent considerable time during the summer writing about Arsenal’s next steps and considering what version of himself would be required to lead another title challenge.

His conclusion was that he must approach the new campaign with “even more enthusiasm”, particularly when setting standards and connecting with players and staff.

Arteta also identified Arsenal themselves rather than Manchester City, Liverpool or Chelsea as their greatest challenge this season.

“You are the protagonist of your own future,” he explained, arguing that Arsenal must concentrate on improving the areas within their control rather than becoming preoccupied with their rivals.

That mentality has already produced an encouraging early result, with Arsenal dismantling Manchester City 3-0 in Sunday’s Community Shield to claim their first silverware of the campaign.

However, the most powerful memory of last season for Arteta was not actually lifting the Premier League trophy.

He instead highlighted Arsenal’s title parade and the connection between players and supporters as an experience he will remember for the rest of his life, describing the sense of belonging created around the club as something “much bigger” than football itself.

Arteta also reflected fondly on now competing against childhood friends Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola, who manage Chelsea and Liverpool respectively, describing their journeys to three major Premier League clubs as “remarkable”.

There will be little room for sentiment once competition begins, though, as Arsenal enter the season in the unfamiliar position of being the team everyone else is chasing.

Winning the title answered one of the biggest questions surrounding Arteta’s Arsenal project.

His next challenge is considerably harder: proving they can do it repeatedly and turning one breakthrough season into the dynasty he now openly wants.

The post Arteta names Arsenal’s biggest challenge as he targets more Premier League glory first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.