Mikel Arteta reveals what Arsenal need to achieve trophy dreams | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta knows the stakes have never been higher after another season without any silverware in north London.

After transforming Arsenal from Europa League hopefuls into genuine Premier League and Champions League contenders, the Gunners boss is preparing for the defining season of his short managerial career.

“Yes, I do,” he says with certainty when asked if his team can win the title. “But it’s getting more and more competitive each year. The level is increasing, and so our demands have to increase too.”

Arsenal again came heartbreakingly close last season, only to falter amid a lack of ability to win close games during a storm of injuries to key players like Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel, and top scorer Kai Havertz. Arteta’s squad ran out of steam and, at times, out of players.

“Last year, the lineup was done for us,” he admits. “We were asking, ‘Give me five players who can finish 90 minutes.’ That’s how we played for seven months. We need to get away from that.

“These restrictions were limiting our capacity to perform and have the freshness that we need at the end of the season.

“Hopefully this season is going to be very different, and we can decide what is the best team with the best players to play against any opponent.

“Then, if we want to change the game, the team, whatever the context is, whether we are drawing or losing, we can change it immediately and have those players that can impact the game.”

That’s why Arsenal’s board have thrown their weight and their wallet behind their manager’s ambitious masterplan to emulate former club Manchester City by having players of like-for like quality in every position.

Four new faces are already through the door, including Spanish midfield star Martin Zubimendi and Chelsea’s Noni Madueke. Arteta now wants three more: Sporting striker Victor Gyokeres, Spanish wonderkid defender Cristhian Mosquera, and either Real Madrid’s Rodrygo or Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.

“They’re tier one signings,” Arteta says. “That means they can start. But we want a squad where you look at the team and you can’t tell who’ll play tomorrow. That’s the level we’re aiming for.”

The Spaniard believes the squad is finally approaching the “perfect mix” of maturity, youth, and hunger. “We have the right balance,” he says. “But there are 6, 7, 8 clubs that also have it and there’s only one winner.”

And he’s not just building for now. Arteta is giving teenagers such as Max Dowman a glimpse of the first-team setup, even handing the 15-year-old a squad number.

“This generation goes faster,” he smiles. “I couldn’t do it at that age. But we have to manage expectations. We don’t want to rush; we want to get it right.”

Arteta will come under pressure if his side fails to impress, but this time, with depth, vision, and a point to prove, Arsenal believe their time is now.