- Mikel Arteta has established a record-high points target he believes Arsenal needs.
- The Gunners narrowly lost the Premier League title on the last day of the 2023-24 season.
- Arsenal is set to play against Manchester United in their second pre-season match.
Mikel Arteta emphasized the need to elevate standards and bring a new element to Arsenal to secure the Premier League title.
Manchester City edged out the Gunners for the title on the concluding day in May, compelling Arteta to ensure that history does not repeat itself this season.
In anticipation of Arsenal’s matchup with Manchester United in Los Angeles at the SoFi Stadium on Sunday (1am BST), Arteta stated: ‘The message is clear – we require more from everyone. This includes more from me as well.
‘I must increase the standards and introduce something new that I haven’t yet offered. This applies individually and collectively.
‘The more we accomplish this, the higher our chances of winning the Premier League will be. This is ultimately our goal.
Mikel Arteta has set his team a target of 114 points – an impeccable record – to beat Man City
He demanded ‘more from everybody’ to bring a first title to the club since the 2003-04 season
‘We will work consistently with enthusiasm and recognize the challenges. When obstacles arise, we will stay united and navigate through them effectively.’
Regarding surpassing Man City this season, he expressed: ‘114 points. Achieving that guarantees us the league title without a doubt.
‘This is the target; from there, we will see what follows. We must earn the right to win and maximize our chances against our rivals.
‘When faced with challenges, our aim is to still perform better than our competitors. That is fundamentally the goal.’
Before meeting the press, Arteta and LA Rams head coach Sean McVay attended a community event with children.
The two are acquaintances and have previously exchanged ideas on coaching strategies and tactics.
‘I have a good rapport with Sean,’ he noted.
‘We’ve met several times and share the same ownership, which connects everyone – not just in terms of coaching, but in organizational aspects as well.
Pep Guardiola has won six Premier League titles in eight seasons at the Etihad Stadium
Arsenal will face Man United on Sunday in Los Angeles in their second pre-season friendly
‘There are many insights we can share with one another. It’s beneficial to learn from each other. Such opportunities are rare, and it is something we can exploit within this organization.’
Reflecting on playing at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Arteta mentioned: ‘This is a chance to engage with our supporters. If they are Arsenal fans, that’s fantastic; if they’re just football enthusiasts, let’s aim to inspire them to support Arsenal.
‘That would imply that we’ve provided them with enjoyment and excitement through our style of play. This is one of our goals, but the primary objective remains to win the match, without a doubt.
‘It’s wonderful to be here and witness the loyalty of our supporters. We understand the challenge posed by the time difference, so it’s important for us to give something special in return.’
