Mikel Arteta has returned to Arsenal’s pre-season camp with a clear message for his players: last season’s Premier League triumph must become the foundation rather than the peak.
Speaking after rejoining the squad in Spain following his summer break, the Arsenal manager said the hunger shown by his players since reporting back for pre-season has convinced him they are ready to attack another demanding campaign.
“The energy in their bodies, in their eyes, how they look,” Arteta said when asked about his first impressions. “They have all come back better than ever. That tells you the direction that we want to seek and the culture that we have set.”
The Spaniard believes that mentality will be vital as Arsenal attempt to defend the Premier League title for the first time in more than two decades.
“This has to be the start and this has to be the standard,” Arteta added. “Excellence has to be our standard.”
Arsenal have adopted a carefully managed pre-season schedule following the 2026 World Cup, with 15 first-team players involved in the tournament and several returning on staggered programmes.
Arteta revealed the club have effectively been running three separate pre-seasons to ensure players return at the right time physically while maintaining the competitive standards established during last season’s title-winning campaign.
He also highlighted the eagerness shown by those yet to rejoin the squad.
“When I speak to Declan, he is already talking, ‘If I come this day, then I can play’,” Arteta explained, adding that the attitude of his players is ultimately more important than any fitness programme.
The Arsenal boss also addressed the club’s transfer plans as sporting director Andrea Berta continues reshaping the squad.
Summer arrivals Illan Meslier and Christos Tzolis have already joined the squad in Spain, but Arteta made it clear Arsenal’s business may not be finished.
“A lot is happening,” he admitted.
“We know that we want to take this club to a different level.”
“That is going to require a better squad and better individuals.”
His comments come with Arsenal continuing to be linked with several attacking reinforcements before the transfer deadline, while the club have consistently stressed that any further additions must improve an already championship-winning squad.
Arteta finished by praising the connection between the players and supporters, describing it as one of Arsenal’s greatest strengths.
He even credited the atmosphere created by supporters and the now-famous north London derby tifo as having played a genuine role in helping the team win matches last season.
For Arteta, however, the message for the months ahead was simple.
Maintaining the same standards, ambition and unity that delivered the Premier League title will be just as important as any new signing if Arsenal are to compete for more major honours in 2026/27.