Mikel Arteta challenges Arsenal side to prove title credentials once again

By Philip Duncan, Press Association

Mikel Arteta insisted he would rather be “hunted than the hunter” on the eve of Arsenal’s bid to defend their Premier League crown.

Arteta’s side host Coventry at the Emirates Stadium on Friday, 94 days after Manchester City’s draw at Bournemouth allowed Arsenal to end their 22-year wait for the title.

The Gunners will enter the new campaign armed with two significant signings – in Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis for a combined £109 million (€232 million) – and a third should follow in the coming days with the expected capture of England defender Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa for a fee in the region of £50m.

Arteta’s side start as the bookmakers’ favourites to see off their rivals and land back-to-back Premier League titles for the first time in Arsenal’s history.

But when asked if he believes his side now have a target on their backs, Arteta said: “Today, no, because we start from scratch, from zero, and we’re going to have to prove we are at the level to go back to that position again.

“We need to show that desire, and the ambition to be better than what we were last season, a month ago, a week ago.

“In the last three seasons, at some point we were first, and at some point we were chasing. And you never know what is better.

“But if you give me the choice, I want to be first, I want to be hunted, and I want to be in control of our future, rather than depending on somebody else.”

With a stronger squad than last season, the pressure of ending a two-decade wait for the title now over, and Manchester City preparing to deal with life after Pep Guardiola, Arteta was pressed on whether he sees a dressing room that can now go on to dominate the league.

“That is what we want, and I guarantee you with my life that that’s the case,” he replied. “But we need to show that on the pitch as to whether we can do that or not.

“We also need to breathe because it’s going to be a long marathon. We have the ability to improve, to evolve, and that’s what I sense, and I feel around the club, especially around the players.”

Arsenal could yet bolster their attacking options during the transfer window – with Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez still on their radar – while a number of players are expected to leave.

Gabriel Jesus, Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira are all likely to be moved on. Gabriel Martinelli’s future is dependent on whether a left-sided forward arrives. Ethan Nwaneri is set to be loaned out, but Arteta ruled out fellow 19-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly leaving.

“One hundred per cent,” said the Spaniard when asked if Lewis-Skelly – who has been linked with both Chelsea and Manchester United – will remain at Arsenal this month.

Guimaraes is expected to be fit for the visit of Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues despite being substituted with a right thigh problem in Arsenal’s impressive 3-0 win over City in the Community Shield last Sunday.

However, Jurrien Timber remains sidelined with a long-term groin problem, and William Saliba is another high-profile absentee as he continues his rehabilitation from a back injury sustained at the World Cup.