Mikel Arteta

“To be facing each other at such a level and with the responsibility we have managing some of the top clubs in the country is a really beautiful thing to experience.”

Mikel Arteta · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05

Arteta reflected on facing Alonso while managing top clubs in England.

“But it is what it is. It is what we have and, as I said before, we already have some very, very good players.”

Mikel Arteta · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05

Arteta acknowledged the current squad has very good players despite personnel changes.

“We have to understand the amount of minutes that those players played and the ones that were injured last year, especially in the first six months, and the data shows something completely different,”

Mikel Arteta · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05

Arteta insisted Arsenal's attack is not weaker compared with last season despite several departures.

“That will depend on a lot of factors and game state is a massive one, especially because the two games that they played, they scored very, very early and that changes the momentum and the shift of the game,”

Mikel Arteta · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05

Arteta said controlling the flow of the game would be crucial against Chelsea, who scored very early in their opening matches.

“But they are capable and he’s capable of playing in various ways. He’s been a really successful manager so far.”

Mikel Arteta · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05

Arteta praised Alonso as a successful manager capable of playing in various ways.

“I am really happy for him. It’s incredible because obviously we have the history we have together,”

Mikel Arteta · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05

Arteta spoke to reporters on Friday ahead of facing longtime friend Xabi Alonso for the first time in the Premier League.

“I don’t know, these are just opinions,”

Mikel Arteta · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05

Arteta brushed off suggestions that Arsenal had fallen short in the transfer market.

“The window is closed and I prefer to look at all the incredible things that we have in this squad and not to spend any more time on the things that are not part of us right now. That’s it and that’s my main responsibility.”

Mikel Arteta · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05

Arteta said he preferred to focus on the squad's strengths rather than transfer window shortcomings.