Mikel Arteta has expressed his strong belief in Arsenal's ability to contend for major titles, including the Champions League, after a summer of strategic squad strengthening. The Gunners are preparing to face Athletic Club in their Champions League opener, with Arteta returning to his native Basque Country.
Arsenal has invested heavily in new players, reportedly spending around £250 million to bring in talents such as Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, and Eberechi Eze. These additions are aimed at bolstering the squad's depth and quality, providing Arteta with more options to navigate the challenges of both the Premier League and Champions League campaigns.
Arteta acknowledged the intense competition in the Premier League, where Arsenal has finished as runners-up in the last three seasons. Despite accumulating a high number of points, they have consistently fallen short of the title, most recently finishing 10 points behind champions Liverpool in the 2024-25 season. However, he remains optimistic that the new arrivals have significantly improved their chances of finally lifting the trophy for the first time since their "Invincible" season in 2003-04.
Arsenal also had a notable run in the Champions League last season, reaching the semi-finals before losing to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain. Arteta believes that the experience gained and the enhanced squad depth will enable them to compete at the highest level once again.
Speaking to Ally's Social Club, Arteta emphasized the club's current appeal to players, stating, "We are very lucky players want to come to Arsenal now, and they prefer to go to Arsenal than somewhere else, and this is an unbelievable power as well that we have built and gives us our very best chance". He also highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong culture and identity within the club, fostering an "unbelievable feeling" among the supporters.
While acknowledging the progress made in recent years, Arteta stressed the need to translate that progress into silverware. "Winning is winning trophies and a lot of things we won throughout this period, changing the culture, making a very clear identity and philosophy of the football club, transmitting an unbelievable feeling to the rest of our supporters, being in the Champions League, working towards the major trophies, winning some trophies… that's a lot of things," he said. He further added, "But now we want this, from being second three times, there is only one thing which is to win it, and that's the expectation. And we have to thrive on that with enthusiasm, with an empty tummy, because we don't have it and we really want it".
Arsenal's Champions League form last season saw them lose only three of their 14 games, with all three defeats coming against the finalists, PSG and Inter. The Opta supercomputer has identified them as one of the favorites to win the competition this season, giving them a 16% chance of lifting the trophy.
Ahead of the Champions League match against Athletic Club, the Spanish side's manager, Ernesto Valverde, praised Arteta as "one of the best coaches in the world". Valverde witnessed Arsenal's capabilities firsthand in a pre-season match where they defeated his team 3-0 and now considers them one of the favorites to win the Champions League.
With a strengthened squad, a clear vision, and the backing of both the club and their supporters, Arteta is confident that Arsenal can finally end their trophy drought and compete for major honors, including making a significant impact in the Champions League.
