After an impressive run in the Premier League 2022-23 season, Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta is setting his eye on the biggest club competition in Europe – The UEFA Champions League.
Arsenal had a decent run in the previous season of the Premier League, finishing in second place behind champions Manchester City with 84 points, five behind the Cityzens. In fact, Arteta’s team was leading for the major part of the season but could not hang on to their position as City was successfully in surpassing them.
However, with an impressive performance, Arsenal qualified for the Champions League for the first time since the 2016-17 season and Arteta feels it is important for the team to add more strength.
“It will be more difficult for sure, because the league is going to go to a different level again, which is already incredible,” said Arteta, while speaking with ESPN. “And obviously playing the Champions League, which we haven’t played in many years at the club.
“That’s why we need a different squad from what we had last year, I think what we’ve done this summer is related to that, and more quality as well, for sure.”
Arsenal have added players like Germany’s Kai Havertz and England’s Declan Rice ahead of the new season and both of these players are expected to add strength to the Gunners’ squad.
“[Havertz] is a player I have admired for a long time and we had the possibility of bringing him to the club. We had a few chats about how he was feeling about it, and I was convinced he was the player and type of personality that we want in the team and to take us forward.
Arteta, who has played a key role in the recent success of Arsenal, added Declan Rice brings leadership qualities to the table.
“[Rice] brings leadership, an aura and he brings special qualities that we didn’t have in our midfield. Obviously, he has good experience in the league, he’s already done a lot at 24 years old, but he has something — I saw that for a long time with him — he has that personality, that way of thinking, the way he plays for his teammates and the way he’s capable of controlling football matches.”
Arteta wants to keep taking the right steps in the right direction to help the club in savoring more success.
“I think there is much more to come,” Arteta said. “I think that what we are trying to do is to have a team with a very clear identity, each day plays better, that deserves to win matches more comfortably and enjoys playing together and that can connect with the people the way we connect, and to have the support and the atmosphere that is around the club right now.
Arsenal will play a MLS All-Stars game on Wednesday in Washington DC.
