Arsenal's Biggest Threat This Season: Themselves, Says Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted that his team's biggest challenge this season is themselves, not their Premier League rivals. The Gunners are seeking to retain the league title for the first time since 1935.
League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 1st in Premier League, 70 pts, 21W-7D-4L from 32 games, recent form LWWWW.
With a 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield, Arsenal sent a clear warning to their rivals. Arteta has improved his squad by adding Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis, whilst the club are closing in on a move for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa.
The Gunners boast greater stability than their potential title rivals. City have replaced Pep Guardiola with Enzo Maresca. Andoni Iraola is the new Liverpool boss. Xabi Alonso has taken the reins at Chelsea and Michael Carrick was named permanent Manchester United manager towards the end of last season.
It sets up an intriguing season, with plenty of unknowns surrounding the clubs expected to challenge for the title. However, Arteta has insisted that none of the aforementioned sides are the biggest barrier to Arsenal retaining the Premier League trophy. It's themselves.
When asked to name his team's biggest challenger, Arteta told Men in Blazers: "Ourselves. I think, when I see the margins that we have to improve and be better, it's on us. That's how we prepare and evolve our club, our team, our squad.
"Looking after the things that we control and we want to do. Because unfortunately, I wish, but I cannot make decisions to influence negatively what other clubs can do."
