Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are hungry to end long wait for Premier League title – ‘The team is new to it’

Arsenal’s players might be new to a Premier League title race, but that hasn’t dampened their desire to end the club’s long wait for a league triumph, says Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners have started the season in superb form and sit top of the standings, five points clear of nearest rivals Manchester City with a game in hand.

And Arteta isn’t hiding away from the challenge of clinching an unexpected first title since 2003/04.

“The demands the club puts on its players makes them hungry,” Gunners coach Arteta told Sky Sports.

“Nothing is won yet, it’s too early, but the supporters assimilate that fire and desire – confidence is very much related. That has to be there at this level.

“We haven’t done it. This team is new to it. We have to give ourselves all of the possible arguments to try to achieve it.

“The desire is there, that’s for sure. I am very happy with where we are – I wouldn’t change that.”

Things haven’t always gone so smoothly for the Spanish tactician, who took over at the Emirates in December 2019 after a spell as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Man City.

Arteta led the club through a difficult period during the Covid-19 pandemic and had his critics after back-to-back eighth-placed finishes and coming fifth last season.

“The plan was always to get better, and get better quickly, but the reality is different,” Arteta said.

“Unfortunately the curve is not always [upwards]. The curve is up and down.

“I was lucky because I’ve had the support I’ve needed in every moment. We’ve had difficulties that I never planned for, like with Covid.

“We needed time to evolve the team, to evolve the squad – it was in a state that needed big improvement. Now we’re in a much better position.”

The Belgium international has penned a deal until 2027 at the Emirates and Arteta was delighted to bring in reinforcements ahead of Sunday’s league clash with Manchester United.

“He is a player that gives us a lot of versatility and quality in the final third,” said Arteta.

“He knows the league. He was available and he wanted to come – he was desperate to come. We welcome those kinds of players to the club.

“He had a smile on his face and he believed it was the right moment for him to move. It was really nicely done, between the player, agent and the club.

“I really like the process and the outcome at the end, obviously. He’s ready and will be available on Sunday. I’m very happy.”