LONDON: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says the Gunners believe this season will be different as they look to overcome some narrow setbacks in their title chase.
Arteta has not won any trophies since lifting the FA Cup in his first season as manager in the 2019-20 season.
However, he managed to turn Arsenal into a consistent contender for major trophies.
Arteta’s men finished the English Premier League (EPL) as runners-up for three consecutive seasons and advanced to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009 last season.
Now, pressure is mounting on the Spanish manager to steer his team further after another transfer window involving major investment.
Almost £200 million was spent on new striker Viktor Gyokeres, midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, central defender Cristhian Mosquera as well as winger Noni Madueke and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
“We know what our targets are and what we want to achieve this season – there is great confidence in our ability to achieve them,” Arteta said in his programme notes ahead of the pre-season friendly against Villarreal later this morning.
“We’ve been very, very close in recent seasons and the whole team will determine whether we achieve it or not.
“But at the same time, we need to make sure we don’t lose focus on what we need to do every day to reach the level we want.
“We need to set the demands we want in this goal, because that’s the most important thing – the internal demands should always outweigh any external demands. That’s what we try to achieve every day.”
Arteta also added that he wants his players to feel “invincible” when playing at home due to the special relationship they have with the club’s supporters.
“We want our fans to immediately connect with the players, start building momentum and start feeling at home that we are invincible,” he said.
“That we played here with such passion, energy and an incredible connection with our fans, that we were confident we would win the game.”
Arsenal will begin their EPL campaign with a highly anticipated match against Manchester United on August 17.