Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal have 'big belief' to end five-season trophy drought

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed strong confidence that his team can finally end their five-year wait for silverware. Since winning the FA Cup in his debut season (2019/20), Arteta has built a highly competitive side that has repeatedly come close    including three consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League and a run to the Champions League semi-finals last season, their first since 2009. Despite the progress, Arsenal are yet to get over the final hurdle, and expectations are higher than ever.

Arteta, writing in his programme notes ahead of a pre-season clash with Villarreal, said the team has “big belief” in reaching their goals this season. However, he stressed the importance of maintaining daily discipline and setting high internal standards: “The internal demands have to always exceed any external demand,” he said. The club has heavily backed him in the summer transfer window, investing nearly £200 million in new signings including Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera, Noni Madueke, and Kepa Arrizabalaga. Now, with renewed depth and belief, Arteta feels the squad is ready to go one step further.

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As Arsenal gear up for the new Premier League season, Mikel Arteta is urging the club's supporters to play a key role in making the Emirates a fortress. “We want our people to start connecting with our players straight away… to feel that at home we are invincible,” he said, underlining the importance of passion, energy, and unity between the squad and fans. That home-field confidence, he believes, could be decisive in finally landing major silverware this year.

With over £200 million in new talent added across multiple positions, Arteta now has one of the deepest squads in the league. But with investment comes pressure. Arsenal's campaign begins with a massive challenge    a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on August 17. The match will immediately test the Gunners' readiness to compete at the highest level. Arteta’s comments reflect a manager fully aware of the stakes but determined to take Arsenal over the line this season. As expectations rise, the message from the top is clear: no more near-misses    it’s time to win.

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