- Mikel Arteta has insisted his players are hungry to win the Premier League
- But the Spaniard believes his team has not yet reached its ‘full potential’
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Mikel Arteta claimed Arsenal are ‘still a long way’ from their full potential as they embark on a fresh challenge for the Premier League title on Saturday afternoon.
Last season, the Gunners led Manchester City to the final matchday, after also losing to Pep Guardiola’s men in the 2022-23 season.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s opening match against Wolves, Arteta said: ‘I don’t think we’re anywhere near that full potential. We’re still a long way off.’
Asked if he could ever be fulfilled without winning a title, he said: ‘I don’t know. If you obviously don’t see margins and you see, “Okay, I can’t really squeeze the lemon, there’s nothing there,” then maybe one day. But right now I don’t see it that way at all.’
He also revealed that his players promised him at a dinner that they would win the league, just hours after Man City clinched the title last season.
Mikel Arteta claimed Arsenal are ‘still a long way’ from reaching their full potential for the new season
He also revealed that his players had promised him they would win the league at a dinner just hours after Man City clinched the title last season.
Arsenal failed to win the Premier League title last season, missing out on Man City
The Gunners had beaten Everton 2-1 but lost the cup by two points.
High-profile figures, including co-chair Josh Kroenke, were reportedly present at the dinner, which was also attended by family members.
“(They’ve been hungry) since the last day (of the season),” he said.
‘We had a meeting with all the club players and the players said to me: “We are going to get better, we are going to do it, we want more.”
“They are the ones who drive that ambition. So that is always positive.”
Arteta (left) said his players have been hungry since their last game of the 2023-24 season against Everton
Arteta said of his team: ‘I don’t see us getting anywhere near that full potential. We’re still far away’
Arsenal take on Wolves in their opening Premier League clash on Saturday afternoon at 3pm
Arteta is honest about the margins at stake.
He added: ‘It’s like trying to climb the highest mountain, (swimming) the most difficult lake in the world and you’re surrounded by people who are trying to achieve the same ambition. We’re definitely going to try.’
