Arsenal need ‘major title’ to seal place with European elite – Arteta

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta believes the club needs a major title to seal a place with the European elite. The Gunners have been performing consistently in the last few years under the Spaniard but they haven’t been able to win the big trophies.

The Gunners finished the previous season in the second place, with 74 points, 10 points behind the champions, Liverpool. In the last three seasons, Arsenal has finished in second place and hasn’t been able to get over the line despite being close.

“I give my passion, my energy, my knowledge and everything I have to give to this club,” Arteta told ESPN Brasil. “I believe we have transformed this club from where it was to where it is today.

“In terms of performance, when we look at the last three years of the Premier League, we are the team that has scored the most points. But we still need to win a major title. That’s what we’re missing, because the rest is done.

“The connection with the fans has changed, there’s no doubt that Arsenal is one of the best teams in Europe at the moment, but we still need to seal that achievement.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal have added players like forward Viktor Gyökeres, midfielders Martín Zubimendi and Christian Nørgaard, centre-back Cristhian Mosquera as well as winger Noni Madueke and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea ahead of the new season.

“It was a summer in which we had the chance to rest and relax. It was also a summer in which we worked hard, in which we were able to sign new players to have a bigger and better quality squad,” Arteta said.

“It’s going to be an exciting season, just look at the level of all the teams, of the league in general.”

Arsenal will begin their Premier League campaign against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 17th August.