Mikel Arteta urges fans not to lose perspective on Arsenal’s progress and says tough decisions loom this summer. Mikel Arteta insisted that he is prepared to make “tough decisions” to strengthen his squad this summer and urged Arsenal supporters not to lose sight of how far the club has come. The Heavy armament specialists’ berating 4-1 misfortune to Manchester City last week stretched out their winless rush to four games following the draws with Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton, permitting Enthusiasm Guardiola’s men to hold onto the drive in the Chief Association title race.
Mikel Arteta urges fans not to lose perspective on Arsenal’s progress
Arteta insists that Arsenal will fight until the end of the season as they prepare to host Chelsea live on Tuesday at the Emirates Stadium. However, he believes Arsenal can be proud of their progress because they have already secured qualification for the Champions League. When asked in May of last year if he would have accepted being in their current position, which places them one point behind leaders City despite playing more games, the Arsenal manager responded, “I would have.” Yes, and I believe we would do the same next season.
“We would take it next season, all of us, to be in the same position. That’s why we cannot lose perspective.
“A lot of people have done an incredible job to be in the position we are in now. With six games to go, we are already qualified for the Champions League.
Despite Arsenal’s inconsistent play, defending champion Manchester City have won eight straight Premier League games with their 2-1 victory over Fulham on Sunday.
“This is the most competitive league that I’ve seen in 22 years, without a question of doubt, and we are right in the mix,” said Arteta.
“I’m very proud of the players and very proud of the club, and everybody who is contributing every single day to do what we do.
“But we still cannot accept where we are. We have to be better because the level is what it is.
“I’ve learned a lot in the last 10 months about the squad. The other day [against Man City] was more about the level that we can produce on the day, the level that we still have to raise on those occasions, and what is needed to win those matches.
“But as well to be proud of what the team has done and how we are coping, to stay there for 10 months toe to toe with them.”
Arteta is prepared to make “tough decisions”
This summer’s transfer window will be crucial for Arsenal, and Arteta acknowledges that the club will need to make difficult decisions regarding both player departures and new signings.
“They are always tough decisions,” he said. “Whether it’s to recruit, or other decisions. Some players sometimes don’t want to continue with us, some staff members.
“It’s always tough, especially when you have good relationships with those individuals, but we are here to win.
“That’s the purpose of everybody at the club. We have to win and to win we have to do it in our way and to do that we have to make decisions.”
Arsenal spent a combined total of £59m to sign Leandro Trossard from Brighton, Jorginho from Chelsea and Jakub Kiwior from Spezia in January and Arteta insists he has no regrets that they did not strengthen further.
“We are very happy with what we’ve done,” he said. “We have tried to maximise what we could do.
“Also, we have to stretch ourselves all the time to seek the best and we have to continue to do that.
“We have to be really humble to recognise that we have to be better, but knowing who we are, the resources we have, the team we have, the potential we have.
“If we do that we will be in the right place.”