Ahead of Saturday’s opener against Wolves, Mikel Arteta shared his goals for the upcoming season in an interview with Sky Sports.
Here’s his response…(summary)
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On his feelings about the new season:
It gets more and more exciting, I think. Probably because you know the club, you know the players. We’re in a good trajectory. We have so much still to get done and achieve and I think the whole place feels really enthusiastic and energetic about the new season.
On whether his enthusiasm is linked to the possibility of winning the league:
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Arteta attributed his excitement to the joy of working at Arsenal, enjoying the company of the staff, players, and supporters. He stressed the importance of focusing on the journey and starting strong, highlighting a successful pre-season that has prepared the team well.
On Arsenal’s impressive 2024 win rate (84%) and looking forward:
Arteta acknowledged the challenge of improving already high performance metrics, noting that the Premier League’s competitive nature demands continuous improvement. He emphasized the need to explore new areas for growth and set higher standards to maintain a competitive edge.
On whether he took a break from football between seasons:
Arteta admitted to taking a brief break but quickly found himself thinking about football again. He stayed connected with the team and staff, balancing work with time spent with family and friends. Despite the demanding nature of his job, he finds it fulfilling and remains deeply engaged with the team’s direction.
On the role of meditation in his routine:
Arteta highlighted the benefits of meditation, noting its positive impact on his work environment and relationships. He also mentioned that engaging in sports and watching other sports helps him feel better and improve his overall well-being.
On where he gets his innovative ideas:
Arteta explained that continuous improvement requires understanding the team’s needs and finding creative ways to address them. By promoting new ideas and gauging the team’s reactions, he aims to enhance competitiveness and achieve success.
On whether he has new ideas to engage the team:
Yes, we do. Over the summer, we’ve implemented several strategies to evolve the team and reach the next level. It’s important for the players to experience something new and exciting, something that makes them think, “Wow, this is a different dimension.” Our players are highly capable, coachable, and eager to improve. They are young and motivated, so let’s focus on that.
On whether he can reveal any of his ideas:
Not on that topic, sorry.
On Jurrien Timber being like a new signing and his importance this season:
Absolutely, he’s key. Timber is an incredible player who has already earned our respect and admiration without even playing. That’s an impressive feat after just one season. We’re all eager to see him on the pitch. His leadership, skill, composure, competitiveness, and intelligence will add tremendous value to the team.
On Timber being a proper Arsenal player, the type he loves..
Yes, because the team loves him. He makes everyone better with his coaching and leadership. He’s always the first one there, loves the game, and is committed to improving. Timber is an exceptional player, and ensuring he maintains consistency will have a significant impact on the team.
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On Opta’s ‘supercomputer’ giving Arsenal a 12.2% chance of winning the title:
Nobody’s going to put more demands, there’s no computer, nobody externally is going to put more demands on us than we’re going to do ourselves.
