Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal to become the best club in the world as the Premier League champions begin their title defence on Friday.
Mikel Arteta has set an ambitious new target for Arsenal after ending the club’s 22-year wait for the Premier League title, declaring that the Gunners now want to become “the best club in the world.”
Champions ready ✊
Behind the scenes on Premier League media day 📸 pic.twitter.com/vhSYe6xuvs
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 20, 2026
Arsenal begin their defence against newly promoted Coventry City on Friday, entering a league campaign as champions for the first time since 2004. However, Arteta is already looking beyond simply retaining the Premier League trophy as he looks to build a sustained period of dominance in north London.
The Spaniard believes Arsenal have the foundations to challenge for the biggest honours in football and wants the club to continue improving both on and off the pitch. “It’s certainly the ambition of the club and the owners to be the best club in the world,” Arteta told reporters. “In order to do that, you need the best facilities, the best stadium, the best supporters, and you need the best squad and the best players in the world.”
The challenge will be maintaining the standards that finally delivered Arsenal’s first league title in more than two decades. The Gunners have not won consecutive English titles since the 1930s, while even Arsene Wenger’s famous Invincibles failed to achieve that feat. Arteta, however, believes his players remain hungry after last season’s success and their painful Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
“It’s very difficult. You have to raise the level from every angle,” he said. “When I look into the eyes of my players, I see that fire, that desire and the will to be better every single day.”
Arsenal Are Not Satisfied with One Title
That ambition was evident in the Community Shield, where Arsenal produced a statement performance by beating Manchester City 3-0.
The perfect start to 26/27 👊 pic.twitter.com/a7v0pCric4
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 16, 2026
New signing Bruno Guimarães impressed after his arrival from Newcastle, while Christos Tzolis has added another attacking option to Arteta’s squad.
More reinforcements could still arrive, with Arsenal pushing towards a deal for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa and continuing to be linked with Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez. Arteta’s willingness to strengthen an already formidable squad underlines the club’s determination to avoid becoming one-season champions.
The pressure on Arsenal’s rivals is also increasing. Manchester City are entering a new era under Enzo Maresca following Pep Guardiola’s departure, while Liverpool and Chelsea are both attempting to recover from disappointing campaigns under new managers. Manchester United, meanwhile, will hope Michael Carrick can build on last season’s improvement.
For Arteta, however, the focus is on Arsenal rather than their challengers. The Premier League champions know defending their crown will be difficult, but captain Martin Odegaard has made the club’s mindset clear: “This year we want more. We want to do it again in the league and then there are the other trophies.”
