Mikel Arteta has provided a candid assessment of the Arsenal squad as he gears up for the challenge of Champions League football in the upcoming season, alongside another attempt at securing the Premier League title.
Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal Football Club, recently shared his honest evaluation of the team’s performance as they prepare for Champions League football next season and their quest to challenge for the Premier League title once again.
Despite falling short in the title race, with Manchester City poised to claim the trophy barring a remarkable collapse in their remaining fixtures, Arsenal’s highlight of the season is undoubtedly their qualification for the prestigious Champions League. This marks their return to European football’s elite competition after a six-year absence since 2017.
However, as the Champions League group stage draw approaches in August, it is likely that Arsenal will find themselves placed in Pot 3. This raises the potential nightmare scenario of being drawn against European powerhouses such as Bayern Munich, the reigning Bundesliga champions, and Real Madrid. Arteta acknowledges the tough challenge that lies ahead and admits that the current squad may not possess the required depth and quality for such a jump in competition.
During a press conference ahead of the Nottingham Forest match, Arteta responded honestly when asked if his squad has the necessary strength to compete simultaneously in the Champions League and the Premier League next season. He stated,
“No, at the level that we want, no. We didn’t have the capacity to do that, especially considering our participation in the Europa League. It’s all part of the team’s progression.”
Arteta emphasized that Arsenal has made considerable strides in their journey towards improvement but stressed that this process is ongoing and never-ending. The club aspires to continually raise the bar and set higher standards, which in turn will require them to become smarter and more efficient in their approach.
“We have made a lot of good steps and strong steps in that journey and we have to continue. That never ends. We want to be better and the rest will be better, then the margins will be higher and we have to start to live with those standards and improve and be smarter.”
The Arsenal manager made it clear that the path to improvement does not solely rely on signing new players. It also involves optimizing the potential of the existing squad members. Arteta highlighted that certain players have yet to showcase their best performances this season, either due to limited game time or underwhelming displays. Consequently, he stressed the importance of unlocking their full potential and seeking ways to provide a different edge to the team.
“That doesn’t mean only signing players. It’s to improve our own players. There are players that we haven’t had the best out of them this season. There are a few players where they haven’t had the minutes or the performances and we have to seek as well for those players to give us a different edge.
“It’s not only about signing players. It’s about resources and staff and improving certain things that can be done better or more efficiently or smarter.”
Arteta’s comments offer fascinating insights, particularly regarding the focus on improving the current players within the squad and maximizing their contributions, regardless of their minutes on the pitch this season. It is evident that Arsenal aims to strengthen not only through new signings but also by optimizing their resources, coaching staff, and implementing smarter strategies for overall improvement.