Arsenal have to be "much, much better" to beat City, says Arteta

Sunday is fast approaching, and with it comes the gateway to the 2023-24 season: the Community Shield. Arsenal will face Manchester City at Wembley, no doubt feeling that they have a lot to prove after narrowily losing out on the Premier League title last season to the Cityzens.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta spoke to the press on Friday ahead of the clash, and showed himself to be "very excited" about the fixture against "the team to beat".

"[We're] Very excited to play a final and have the opportunity to win a trophy against a team that is the team to beat", he declared. "They were the best team in Europe last season, and we know what the standards are and how we need to win the game, but we’re very excited".

The teams' head-to-head recently favours City without a doubt, as they have walked away from the last five matches the victors, most recently in the Premier League last season in a 4-1 thrashing. Arteta acknowleged that the Gunners needed some change as "the game started in a way that we didn’t want, and they were better in every department".

"They deserved to win the game without a question of a doubt, so for us to win the trophy on Sunday we’re going to have to be much, much better than we were then, that’s for sure", he continued.

 

August 4, 2023

As for their new signings, he was full of praise for Declan Rice, who he described as "already excellent", and was optimistic about the Arsenal project, given that Rice turned down Pep Guardiola's side to join the Gunners.

"I think the important thing is that we have a target and we have the resources that we need to bring a target in, but as well that we can convince him and tell him things that excite him, that he feels inspired and that he wants to be a part of it", he noted. "That’s the feeling that we are getting with every player that we want to sign, but as well with the players that we already have here".

The Spaniard feels that it shows the team are in the right place but there is more to be done: "This is what we want, to be on every front fighting for trophies, and being as a club, in every front to try and be the best. We have to prove that what we did last year was something, but it wasn’t enough to win the biggest trophy and the one we were looking after".

"We have to be better and that comes every day with trying to be better, making better decisions and playing better, and deserving to win the game. In the end, the outcome will come by itself", he added.