Mikel Arteta: 'I think we have moved forward since I’ve been here. Last season was a big step forward'

Published: 14 August, 2014
by STEVE BARNETT

NEW Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta believes the club finally has the experience and strength in depth needed to mount a serious title challenge. 

Arteta, who has taken over the armband after Thomas Vermaelen joined Barcelona, is calling for his team-mates to make a fast start in Saturday’s opener against Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium and create a platform for the rest of the season. 

“We’ve done our transfer business early so we can start from the off, and that’s what we want,” the skipper told Arsenal Player. “We want to set a marker. We’ve got the experience now, we have the structure, the fans, the club and the desire to do it. 

“I think we have moved forward since I’ve been here. Last season was a big step forward. 

“To compete in the most tough and difficult league – where you are facing five or six opponents ready to win the Premier League – is not easy to find anywhere else in Europe.” 

Manager Arsene Wenger might be facing a selection headache before every game, but Arteta insists that it’s a good problem to have – and one that could prove crucial in Arsenal’s title challenge.

“When you’re playing and you look at the bench, you see that we have options to change the game. You can write down two or three different teams, and that’s what you need. You need competition, players to be on their toes, and that’s what the manager is going to get this season. 

“If we make the right decisions, I’m sure we will be there.” 

New signings Alexis Sanchez and Mathieu Debuchy are in line to make their league debuts against Palace on Saturday, as is Calum Chambers who will play in the heart of defence in place of Per Mertesacker. 

Wenger must also decide who is going to lead the line, having favoured Yaya Sanogo over Olivier Giroud during pre-season.