Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are ready to embrace the pressure of being the team to beat as the Gunners begin their defence of the Premier League title against newly promoted Coventry City on Friday.
Arsenal will open the 2026/27 campaign at the Emirates Stadium as reigning champions after ending a 22-year wait for the league title last season. The Gunners also strengthened their credentials by defeating Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield last weekend.
Arteta, however, believes last season’s success counts for little once the new campaign begins.
“We start from scratch, from zero, and we’re going to have to prove we are at the level to go back to that position again,” the Arsenal manager said.
“If you give me the choice, I want to be first, I want to be hunted, and I want to be in control of our future, rather than depending on somebody else.”
The Spaniard said Arsenal must maintain the hunger and ambition that carried them to the title, while continuing to improve over what he described as a long marathon of a season.
The club are targeting their first successful title defence since the 1930s.
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Arsenal have also strengthened their squad, with Bruno Guimarães and Christos Tzolis joining during the summer. Guimarães, however, is a doubt for the opening game after suffering a leg problem in the Community Shield.
The opening fixture will also be a major occasion for Coventry, who return to the top flight for the first time in 25 years after winning the Championship.
Coventry manager Frank Lampard acknowledged the scale of the challenge facing his team but urged his players to approach the occasion without fear.
“We will go through tougher times this year for sure because of the competition we’re up against now,” Lampard said.
Arsenal’s title defence comes amid significant changes among their major rivals. Manchester City begin life without Pep Guardiola against Bournemouth, while Liverpool open away to Newcastle. Chelsea, under new manager Xabi Alonso, visit Fulham on Monday.
Manchester United travel to newly promoted Hull City, while Tottenham face Brentford.
For Arteta, however, the immediate objective is clear: ensure Arsenal’s championship-winning mentality survives the transition into a new season.
“We need to breathe because it’s going to be a long marathon,” he said, stressing the need for the squad to evolve while maintaining its desire to compete at the highest level.