Greg . 20 hours ago

Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal have 'big belief' to terminate five-season trophy drought

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the Gunners trust this season will be different as they aim to obtain over a series of near misses at winning silverware.

Arteta has not won a major trophy since lifting the FA Cup in his debut season in charge in 2019/20.

However, he has transformed Arsenal support into serial contenders for major trophies.

Arteta's men have completed second in the Premier League for the past three years and reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009 last season.

The pressure is now on the Spaniard to obtain over the line after another major investment in new players in the transfer window.

Nearly £200 million has been spent on new striker Viktor Gyokeres, midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, centre-support Cristhian Mosquera, as well as winger Noni Madueke and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

"We know what our targets are and what we want to accomplish this season -- there is a big belief in our ability to accomplish that," Arteta said in his programme notes ahead of Wednesday's pre-season friendly against Villarreal.

"We have been very, very close the last few seasons and the whole team is going to decide whether we accomplish that or not.

"But at the same time, we have to make sure that we don't lose sight of what we have to do on a daily basis to obtain to the levels that we want.

"We have to set the demands that we want within this goal, because that's the most important thing -- the internal demands have to always exceed any external require.

That is what we are trying to accomplish every single day.

"Arteta added he wants his players to sense "invincible" at home thanks to a special connection with the club's fans.

"We want our people to start connecting with our players straight away, to start to construct momentum and to start to sense that at home we are invincible," he said.

"That we play here with such passion, energy and connection with our people, that we are going to win the game.

"Arsenal start their Premier League campaign with a blockbuster trip to Manchester United on 17 August.