Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal face Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday (John Walton/PA) |
Mikel Arteta knows his Arsenal side will need a monumental points tally if they are to pip Manchester City to the Premier League title his season.
The two rivals meet in Sunday’s Community Shield, the
Gunners taking part after they finished second to treble-winning City last
year.
Arsenal led the way for much of the campaign but lost both
home and away to Pep Guardiola’s men, who have now claimed five of the last six
league crowns.
“They’ve shown their consistency over the years and they
merit that respect from everybody for what they’ve done,” Arteta said of his
former club.
“If you want to challenge for that championship you know the
total points that you’re going to be needing and that’s unheard of in this
league for the last 100 years.
“So that’s the standard and, if you want to be there, you
know what you have to do.”
Asked if City’s treble-winning exploits could mark the
pinnacle for Guardiola’s current crop, Arteta added: “I heard that a few times
in the last seven years – and they won four titles, got to a hundred points and
then they go to 95.
“So I don’t think that’s the case. And knowing the manager
and the people who work at the club I don’t think that’s going to be the case.”
If you want to challenge for that championship you know the
total points that you’re going to be needing and that’s unheard of in this
league for the last 100 years
Arteta has won the FA Cup and Community Shield since taking
over at the Emirates Stadium in 2019 but now wants to show last season’s
unexpected title tilt was not a one-off.
“This is what we want, to be on every front fighting for
trophies,” he added.
“We have to prove that what we did last year was something,
but it wasn’t enough to win the biggest trophy and the one we were looking
(for).
“We have to be better and that comes every day with trying
to be better, making better decisions and playing better, and deserving to win
the game. In the end, the outcome will come by itself.”
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