Real fans can see what we are doing
Under-fire Arteta defends his record
MIKEL ARTETA believes his side will get the full support of true Arsenal fans as they face Chelsea today at a packed Emirates Stadium for the first time in 18 months.
The Spaniard has been under fire on social media after a disappointing first full season, when the club finished eighth and missed out on Europe for the first time in 25 years.
After losing their opening game 2-0 against newly promoted Brentford last week, some Arsenal fans were unhappy with the state of their club and shortcomings in the transfer market.
But now the club have signed Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to bolster his youthful squad, Arteta says they are on the slow road to recovery — and real supporters will understand what the Gunners are trying to do.
A young team will take on Chelsea as strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette have still not recovered from Covid-19, which led to a youthful line-up last week.
Arteta says his team will need to be ‘perfect’ in order to beat the Blues and says fans can play their part by giving Arsenal’s kids their full backing.
‘We know in order to beat Chelsea, we need to be perfect,’ he said. ‘Both individually and collectively, we have to have an extraordinary game. The focus is on that. And we are going to need the help of our fans.’
Asked if Arsenal fans are likely to be nervous facing the European champions, he replied: ‘I don’t think they will be in an apprehensive mood. I think they will be right behind the team.
‘They know what we are trying to do. They can see it. And if you can’t see it and don’t see it, it’s because you don’t want to and you want to see something different.
“But they really know what is coming, what we’re trying to do and they will be there for us.
Because they know, as well, that our young players need them.
‘Arsenal fans, when things are a little bit difficult, they are always behind the team. I can say that for sure as I felt it from when I was a player here.’
Arteta believes there is a major rebuilding job to be done and he is promoting young players such as Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, much as Chelsea have given a chance to academy kids Mason Mount and Reece James.
‘They can cope with the level of pressure because of the levels of excitement, the passion and enthusiasm they have,’ he added.
But he admits they are a long way behind Chelsea, who are expected to challenge for the Premier League title after another summer of big spending, with Romelu Lukaku returning for £97.5million this week. ‘We can just see what they have done in the last 10 years,’ said Arteta. ‘The amount of titles that they have won. We are in a different phase and at a different stage to them.’
Arsenal had been criticised for a lack of investment in the past but have become the biggest spenders in Britain this summer.
Arteta, though, insists a return to the glory days under Arsene Wenger will not happen quickly.
‘What we want to do to the club is bring it back to where it was,’ he said. ‘The timing is a little bit more complicated than people think. But our only aim is to do that. The only aim tomorrow, and this season, and the following matches, is to win every single time and nothing else.
‘We are happy with what we have done. I’m really happy with the club, the unity we have to make decisions and how focused we are on what we believe is the right thing to do for the club.’