BIG TIME OR BUST FOR MIK
Arteta wants Champions League spot next season
MIKEL ARTETA claims it is the Champions League or bust for Arsenal this season and challenged his players to deliver.
The Gunners are counting the cost of life outside Europe’s top club competition, posting losses of £27m earlier this year. After staff redundancies and player wage cuts post-covid, Arteta has now spelled out how vital it is to return to the top table. Ahead of today’s Community Shield clash with Liverpool, he said: “It is fundamental for the future of this club to play in the Champions League every season.” Arsenal finished 10 points off a top-four finish last term in eighth place, and 43 behind champions Liverpool.
The Gunners boss said: “We know how difficult it is in the Premier League with the teams around us.
“We need to make a lot of good decisions, put a lot of good work together and make sure that we maximise all our resources on and off the field to try to achieve that. “I don’t know how difficult it is going to be but I can assure you my aim is only the top. I don’t see anything different.
“Where we are going to reach will depend on our preparation, our quality, our bit of luck and our momentum.
“Our aim has to be all the time to be the best or if not the best then the best we can be. I don’t want to take anything less.”
Arsenal were slammed when they made 55 staff redundant despite adding expensive signings like Willian to their squad.
Arteta said: “I understand. If you are only looking at the financial point of view you can get some contradictory messages.
“But the club had a thorough plan of how they needed to restructure our club in order to function better and be more stable for the future.
“We have been trying to do the right thing and the club is trying to protect the future.”
There was more upheaval at Arsenal when head of football Raul Sanllehi left the club, with his role being taken over by managing director Vinai Venkatesham.
Arteta admits talks continue about how that will affect his role as head coach.
He said: “We have to figure out the best way to run our club.
“That’s what we are trying to do while trying to achieve all the targets that we have for this transfer market.”