Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal to “keep digging for gold” as they kick off yet another quest for a first Premier League crown since 2004, with a daunting season opener against a rejuvenated Manchester United on Sunday.
The Gunners have finished as runners-up in each of the last three campaigns, drawing criticism for repeatedly faltering in the title race. Manchester City edged them out in both 2023 and 2024 after Arsenal surrendered commanding leads, while Liverpool surged ahead last season, leaving Arteta’s injury-hit squad in their wake.
The continued near-misses have only heightened frustration among supporters, with some questioning whether Arteta is truly the man to end the club’s two-decade title drought, given his only silverware since taking charge in December 2019 remains the 2020 FA Cup.
Still, there were signs of progress last season as Arsenal reached the Champions League semi-finals before falling narrowly to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.
Bolstered by a summer spending spree of over £180 million (\$244 million) on new recruits, Arteta insists his side are ready to go the distance this time.
“You just keep digging, digging, digging — because eventually you’ll strike gold,” the Spaniard told reporters on Friday.
“For three years, we’ve collected more points than almost any other team in this league, which is remarkable. The consistency is there, but now the challenge is to finish a season with more points than everyone else. That’s the goal. That’s what I’ve been taught, and that’s the mentality.”
