MIKEL FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL
Arteta airs grave concerns as he attacks ‘disrespectful critics out to bury Arsenal’
MIKEL ARTETA has lashed out at the critics he claims are trying to “bury” Arsenal.
Even Rwandan President Paul Kagame, a Gunners fan, waded in as last week’s 2-0 defeat by Brentford sparked a chorus of condemnation.
His government sponsors the club, whose players wear a ‘Visit Rwanda’ logo on their shirt sleeves. And after the loss, Kagame angrily tweeted: “We must not excuse or accept mediocrity.”
In two further rapid-fire tweets, he insisted that “fans don’t deserve to kind of get used to this” and demanded “a plan that really works”.
Arteta claimed he was unaware of the posts, and that Kagame has not been in touch. But ahead of tomorrow’s big clash with Chelsea, the Arsenal manager rounded on those who he feels are intent on undermining his work.
“I agree that Arsenal should not accept mediocrity,” said Arteta, right. “I totally agree.
“I just want people that are constructive around me. I know people have the intention to bury us and try to criticise us.
“I am talking about using moments to try to come and use some very disrespectful ways to describe certain things. Nothing new.
“But we are not interested in that.We have a lot of positivity and a lot of energy, new energy that is coming up.
“My full focus is on that and finding a way to beat Chelsea because we can,
The age of signings tells you the project we are building
ARSENAL V
because we’ve done it. like to always be positive.”
Arteta, who clinched the £34million permanent signing of Martin Odegaard, 22, from Real Madrid yesterday, also appealed for fans to stick with his players. He said: “In moments when there is certain negativity around the place, you need your supporters more than ever. They’ve always been with the team and I have no doubt on Sunday they will be right behind us.
“If they really want to help the team, there’s not going to be a better medicine for them than to feel the fans very close with the right energy and supporting them.”
Arsenal have spent £140m this summer, following the signing of Odegaard by bringing in £30m keeper Aaron Ramsdale, 23, from Sheffield United.
But Arteta refused to say whether he believes the Gunners have had a better window than Chelsea, who signed Romelu Lukaku for £97.5m.
He said: “We have done what we needed to do. I don’t know what they wanted to do so it is difficult to compare.
“We’re going to have seven players that have left the club and five coming in. It is a clear indicator. The ages are between 21 and 23 and it tells you the project that we are building.”