Mikel Arteta has challenged big-spending Arsenal to ship a press release of intent forward of the Premier League season after they face treble winners Manchester City within the Community Shield on Sunday.
Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta(Getty Images through AFP)
Arteta’s aspect have their sights set on dethroning City as they appear to avenge final season’s painful collapse within the title race.
Fuelled by a spending spree of greater than £200 million ($254 million) on England midfielder Declan Rice, Germany ahead Kai Havertz and Dutch defender Jurrien Timber, Arsenal have an early alternative to indicate they’re geared up to finish City’s three-year reign as champions.
Arsenal completed 5 factors behind Pep Guardiola’s males regardless of holding an eight-point lead in April and Gunners boss Arteta is aware of this weekend’s glamour pleasant at Wembley provides a possibility to put down a marker.
“For sure. After what we did last year, a lot of people are going to talk about what is next,” Arteta stated.
“In the end, it will be about playing better and earning the right to win every match.
“We made some necessary signings, like different groups are doing, however if you find yourself Arsenal, it’s a must to deal with that.”
The annual curtain-raiser to the English top-flight campaign does not always prove an accurate barometer for what is to come but it does serve as the perfect appetiser for the Premier League, which kicks off with City’s trip to Burnley on August 11.
Arsenal’s opener comes against Nottingham Forest the following day in a rematch with the team who ended their title bid with a 1-0 win at the City Ground in May.
While Arsenal have a burning desire to get their hands on the Premier League trophy for the first time since 2004, Guardiola’s side must prove they remain hungry for silverware.
Cementing their status as one of English football’s all-time great teams, City last season became only the second English club to win the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in a single campaign, matching Manchester United’s achievement in 1998/99.
‘Still here to win’
Two months after Rodri’s goal sealed City’s long-awaited first Champions League crown against Inter Milan, Guardiola’s men are back in action as they attempt to produce an encore to their golden year.
City’s dynastic status ensures they are favourites to become the first English side to win the top-flight title four years in a row.
But there is one legitimate question hovering over the champions as they set off on their quest for a sixth title in seven seasons.
Can Guardiola refocus a squad potentially sated by so much success and possibly unsettled by close-season transfer movement?
City captain Ilkay Gundogan, a key member of Guardiola’s leadership group, has left for Barcelona and Algeria winger Riyad Mahrez has moved to Saudi club Al-Ahli.
Kyle Walker, Bernardo Silva and Aymeric Laporte have also been linked with moves away from the Etihad Stadium.
Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic has arrived from Chelsea to replace Gundogan and Joao Cancelo is back following a surprise loan move to Bayern Munich last season reportedly sparked by a row with Guardiola.
The club are understood to have agreed a fee with RB Leipzig for highly rated Croatia international defender Josko Gvardiol.
As well as handling the transfer merry-go-round, the obsessive Guardiola surely spent his summer holidays fretting over City’s ability to avoid a treble hangover.
Jack Grealish’s wild celebrations revealed the sense of fulfilment and relief felt by Guardiola’s players at the climax of an incredible season.
But if there is concern about City’s ability to stay hungry, Guardiola must have been relieved to hear Ruben Dias’s recent rallying cry.
“Even although this workforce has gained rather a lot prior to now few seasons, we’re nonetheless hungry and we’re nonetheless right here to win many times,” defender Dias said.
“Actions converse louder than phrases. We can say what we wish however all that issues is what we do when the video games begin.
“The mentality is there with everyone who belongs to the club.”
Source: www.hindustantimes.com
