Mikel Arteta leaves fans baffled with 'three year' Arsenal Premier League boast
Mike Arteta has already drawn the attention of Arsenal's naysayers after the Gunners boss made a baffling comment in his first press conference of the season. The north London side get the campaign underway with a clash against Manchester United on Sunday as Arteta and co once again target a league title.
Arsenal have seen plenty of investment this summer and signed Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and finally a striker in the shape of Viktor Gyokeres. Sporting director Andrea Berta has been busy in the transfer window and will hope his work has strengthened Arteta's hand.
The Spanish coach has overseen three consecutive second-place finishes in the top-flight and agonisingly missed out on adding Arsenal's first Premier League title. And Arteta remains adamant he will keep working to deliver what is required at the Emirates.
"Yeah, you keep digging, digging, digging and you have to be digging because one day the gold is going to be there. That's all the time. When I've been taught, when I've been educated and that's it," said Arteta.
"For three seasons we've had more points than any other team in this league, which is incredible. That's how you have all the consistency. Now we have to do it in a season to have one more point or the same amount of points and more goals different than any other team. That's the objective."
The issue with Arteta's hypothesis is that it's not exactly correct. Despite finishing above Manchester City last season, it is Pep Guardiola's side who have still tallied the most points in the last three seasons. City claimed 251 points, Arsenal 247 and Liverpool 233.
"Factually incorrect," pointed out one fan, "Second again."
"Its hurts to always fail," another added. "'We've had more points than any other team in this league'. Clearly not son, else you'd have three titles, no?"
"Even though he has never reached the lofty height of 90 points, he speaks as if he has experienced a tremendous championship battle," noted a further rival.
"Keep digging bro… might find yourself in championship and eventually win it," joked another fan. And with the same sentiment one supporter said: "Keep digging, one day you might end up in Chelsea 's trophy room… still looking for something you can actually win."
Nevertheless, Arteta is keen to get the season underway. "I'm super excited, I can't wait. It's been a really productive pre-season. We've made such an evolution in the squad as well and we're ready to go," he said.
"The mood of the place, the energy around it, the enthusiasm that the boys, the staff came with from day one, now we're going to do better, to keep improving as a team and to win. That's what drives my energy and that's why I'm so excited."
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