(Football News) Arsenal is gearing up for an ambitious pursuit of all available trophies in the upcoming season, with manager Mikel Arteta emphasizing their determination. The Premier League runners-up are set to kick off their 2023-24 campaign against treble winners Manchester City in the Community Shield, a fact highlighted by Arteta on Friday.
In the previous season, Arsenal’s title aspirations were derailed by the relentless force of City, a team that had secured three consecutive top-flight titles and subsequently claimed their inaugural Champions League triumph in June.
Last season, Arsenal had established an eight-point lead over City by mid-March, only to see it slip away by the end of April. The upcoming clash at Wembley in the traditional curtain-raiser to the Premier League season presents an opportunity for Arsenal to seek retribution.
Mikel Arteta, aged 41, formerly served as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at City from 2016 to 2019 before taking the helm at the north London club. In his debut season as manager, he guided Arsenal to an FA Cup victory. His subsequent efforts helped Arsenal secure a spot in the Champions League for the first time since the 2016-17 campaign. Arteta expressed his desire to capitalize on the momentum gained in the previous season and propel his team to even greater heights.
“I’m filled with great excitement to be in a final, competing for a trophy. We’re facing the team that stands as the one to surpass,” Arteta shared with reporters.
“Our aim is to usher in a new era for Arsenal, marked by contending for every possible trophy. This is the path we intend to tread. Our efforts last year fell short of capturing the ultimate prize, and we must raise our standards.”
Mikel continued, “We need to not only maintain our level but elevate it, striving for the betterment of our supporters.”
Throughout the close season, Arsenal has already fortified their youthful squad with acquisitions such as Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber. However, Arteta asserted that their work remains unfinished as he endeavors to enhance his team’s prospects.
The latest addition to Arsenal’s transfer speculations is Brentford goalkeeper David Raya.
“We are currently in the process of squad development. We are actively engaged in several aspects – there is a window of opportunity to accomplish that. We are content with the squad we currently possess, undoubtedly,” Arteta remarked.
“We aim for robust competition within the squad, and we are actively addressing this aspect,” Arteta stated.
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