Mikel Arteta under pressure to deliver title after big summer at Arsenal | OneFootball

Arteta will be judged on whether or not Arsenal are crowned champions after being given the tools to finally get them over the line

Mikel Arteta is facing a pivotal season at Arsenal

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Arteta’s words set the tone for what has been a busy summer for Arsenal, who have signed six players for an outlay of around £200million.

Arteta told supporters to ‘chase the dream’ in a message at the end of last season

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New sporting director Andrea Berta has led the aggressive recruitment drive, and Arsenal have got their business done early.

The last player through the door was Viktor Gyokeres and, even so, the striker was able to join Arsenal before they finished their pre-season tour of Asia.

Gyokeres is viewed as a crucial addition and reflects Arsenal’s business this summer. At 27, he has been signed to make an immediate impact.

The same goes for Martin Zubimendi and, while there has been lots of talk about Arsenal finally signing a striker, the Spaniard could prove to be their most important new arrival.

Zubimendi has already shown in pre-season the transformative effect he will have on the Arsenal midfield, bringing the best out of those around him.

Arsenal view his signing as a major coup, not least because Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid have all shown a previous interest in him.

Arteta described Zubimendi’s performance in Arsenal’s final pre-season game against Athletic Bilbao last Saturday as “incredible”, and he has enabled the Gunners to change their style of play.

Martin Zubimendi could help transform the way Arsenal play this season

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Arteta’s side have been more direct in pre-season, with the focus being on getting the ball to their wide players quicker.

Arsenal’s record last season was actually decent against the sides that eventually finished in the top six, with only Liverpool performing better in those games.

They struggled, however, against the mid-table teams, winning just six of their 18 matches against the sides that finished between seventh and 15th in the Premier League last season.

Breaking down those teams that sit deep and frustrate Arsenal will be key to them having success this season.

The club hope their business - and a better injury record - will solve that issue, and it is clear Arsenal have far more options now.

Gyokeres gives them a striker that runs in behind to stretch defences.

Noni Madueke offers cover on both flanks, but crucially a natural left-footer to play on that flank.

Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres for £64m to finally give Arteta the elite-level striker he has wanted

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Riccardo Calafiori, who struggled with injuries last season, showed in pre-season how he can be an overlapping left-back, as opposed to the inverted option of Myles Lewis-Skelly.

“In every position now, we have a different quality, a lot of players that can play in various positions as well with a lot of versatility, bringing different kinds of qualities and threats to the team,” said Arteta.

“So, we’re going to manage that in the best possible way to maintain everybody with the right cohesion, hunger and the fact that at any moment we can change the puzzle and make it very difficult for the opposition.”

The challenge for Arteta is finding the right puzzle for the right moment.

Arsenal have been so close to winning the Premier League, but taking that final step is proving hard.

There is a feeling, though, that Arteta has the tools to get the Gunners over the line and end their 21-year wait to lift the title.

The pressure is on Arteta and his squad to deliver, and what better place to start their quest than against Manchester United Old Trafford on Sunday.