- Mikel Arteta has insisted his players were hungry to win the Premier League
- But the Spaniard feels his team has not yet reached its “full potential”
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Mikel Arteta claims Arsenal are “still a long way” from their full potential as they begin a fresh hunt for the Premier League title on Saturday afternoon.
The Gunners took Manchester City to the final round last season, after also falling to Pep Guardiola’s men in the 2022-23 campaign.
Ahead of Arsenal’s opening game against Wolves, Arteta said: “I don’t see us anywhere near reaching that full potential. We’re still a long way off.”
As to whether he could feel fulfilled without winning a title, he said: “I don’t know. Obviously, if you don’t see margins and think, ‘Well, I can’t really squeeze the lemon, there’s nothing there,’ then maybe one day I’ll achieve it. But right now I don’t see it that way at all.”
He also revealed that his players promised him they would win the league at a dinner just hours after Manchester City won the title last season.
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are “still a long way” from reaching their full potential ahead of the new season
He also revealed that his players promised him they would win the league at a dinner just hours after Manchester City won the title last season.
Arsenal failed to win the Premier League title last season, losing to Manchester City.
The Gunners had beaten Everton 2-1 but missed out on the trophy by two points.
The dinner is known to have been attended by high-profile figures including co-chairman Josh Kroenke, and was also attended by family members.
“They have been hungry since the last day (of the season),” he explained.
‘We had a meeting with all the players at the club and the players told me: ‘We are going to be better, we are going to do it, we want more.’
“They are the ones who drive that ambition, so that is always positive.”
Arteta (left) said his players have been hungry since their final game of the 2023-24 season against Everton.
Speaking about his team, Arteta said: “I don’t see us being anywhere near reaching that full potential. We’re still a long way off.”
Arsenal take on Wolves in their first Premier League clash at 3pm on Saturday afternoon.
Arteta is honest about the margins at stake.
He added: “It’s like you’re trying to climb the highest mountain, swimming in the most difficult lake in the world and you’re surrounded by people trying to achieve the same ambition. We’re definitely going to try.”
