Arsenal start their quest to retain the title tonight, Friday, hosting Coventry in the season’s opener.
The last time the club successfully defended a top-flight title was 91 YEARS AGO, before the start of World War Two.
But Arteta has no doubts about the hunger among his own squad to finish top of the Prem again.
The Spaniard said: “They don’t need any kicks. If they need a kick, believe me, they will get a kick. But they don’t need a kick.
Arteta stressed “What they need is the realisation of the energy, desire and the passion that they have to go again. It’s certainly there.
He added “It’s like creating a beast, a monster inside you and saying, ‘I want to go through it again’. We know what it is going to take. We know we’re capable of doing it.”
The silhouette of the Prem trophy that Arsenal players walk past on arrival at their London Colney training base is now illuminated to celebrate last season’s achievements.
And Arteta is backing his squad to keep the light shining bright this campaign.
The Arsenal boss said: “Immediately after winning the title, the players were talking about what is next and what they want to do.
One way Arteta has added fuel to Arsenal’s fire is with new signings – midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is in from Newcastle for £75million and, at 28, is hungry for trophies.
The same goes for England defender Ezri Konsa, also 28, who is set to sign from Aston Villa for £51m after a medical yesterday.
Winger Christos Tzolis also arrived for £34m from Club Brugge as well as keeper Illan Meslier on a free after leaving Leeds in June.
Arteta said: “New signings bring a new energy, something to prove and obviously competition.
The Sun
