Mikel Arteta gives his verdict on what Arsenal were 'missing' last season and admits this title race is his 'toughest EVER' - as he opens up on the phone call that sealed Viktor Gyokeres' move

Daily Mail​

6 hours ago

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed what he believes his team were missing in their quest to win the Premier League title last season.
The Gunners finished in second place for the third consecutive campaign as they ended up ten points behind champions Liverpool.
Arteta believes that the lengthy absences of key players proved costly for his team last season.
A host of important Arsenal stars spent time on the sidelines last season, including Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Ben White, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Arteta told Men In Blazers: 'A lot of things have to go right to finish second in the Premier League and to do the amount of points that we have done more than any other club in three seasons in the Premier League. So a lot of top things you have to do.
'But what we missed, in my opinion, was that we missed some top, top players. Players that have to be on the pitch impacting results for four or five months we miss them and it was no one, it was four or five of them, and that's where we came short in my opinion. But even though we did it, I think we did it in a way that I think we have to be, really privileged.'
The Arsenal manager also admitted that the title race this season could be the toughest ever.
He said: 'First of all, you have to believe in it and really genuinely believe in it. And when when we talk about it and say, okay, we need to describe so how good we are in a lot of things that we do, and then they realise it.
'But they're also convinced that we know that is a really tough season coming up, probably the toughest ever because of the quality of every team, the way everybody has reinforced their squad. But at the same time it is probably the most exciting one as well.
Arteta will hope for better luck for his players on the injury front this season and he will also be looking for Viktor Gyokeres to make a major impact.
There is much expectation on Gyokeres following his arrival from Sporting but Arteta believes that the striker will thrive for Arsenal.
Arteta said: 'He's going to bring a different level of threat. I've never been stopping to have a 9 like this, never.
'The thing is we have adapted to the players and trying to get the best out of the players that we have, and now we have someone with a unique ability to put the ball in the back of the net. He's done more often than anybody else almost in Europe. That's a big quality to have in the team.'
Arteta disclosed that his first phone call with Gyokeres convinced him that the Sweden international was the right option.
Asked what data convinced him that Gyokeres will be a success, Arteta said: 'The data was my first phone call with him. I told him the idea that I had and I wanted to just look at his reaction, like coming to Arsenal, imagine yourself putting that shirt on, walking into the dressing room with the expectations around you, how do you handle it?.
Much to Arteta's delight, Gyokeres responded by saying: 'That's my dream'.
Arteta continued: 'You can have all the data but this guy has to come and adapt to this pressure in this league. The other data I knew. It's how this guy's going to behave when he comes on that pitch with that security, that dominance and that arrogance almost to say, don't worry I will do it.'
As well as Gyokeres, Arsenal have also signed Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Gunners get their Premier League campaign underway on Sunday when they face Manchester United away.