Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he ‘respects’ Jurgen Klopp’s belief that only Manchester City can truly say they are targeting the Premier League title this coming season, but he is eager to push them as far as possible once again.
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Pep Guardiola’s side enjoyed a 12-game winning run at the backend of last season that secured their fourth title in the last five years, while they also won the FA Cup and the Champions League to complete a famous treble.
Although Arsenal topped the table for much of the campaign and finished just five points behind the champions, Liverpool boss Klopp believes City are the only team who are guaranteed to be in the title race.
‘Nobody besides maybe City can have the real target to become champions again this year,’ said the German coach earlier this week.
‘All the other teams fight for the Champions League and that’s what we do as well. The earlier you qualify for the Champions League, the higher you are in the table. If you are second and in striking distance to first then you might have a chance. I don’t know who will be there.’
Arteta is more than aware of the almighty task facing any side looking to challenge City but is aspiring to reach those same, lofty standards with Arsenal.
Asked if he agreed with Klopp’s remarks, Arteta replied: ‘Well I respect that. Obviously they have shown consistency over the years and they merit that respect from everybody for what they’ve done.
‘If you want to challenge for the championship you know the total points you’re going to be needing and this is unheard of in this league for the last 100 years.
‘So that’s the standards and if you want to be there you know what you have to do, it’s very simple.’
Arsenal will get an early chance to test their level against Manchester City when they take on Guardiola’s side at Wembley on Sunday in the Community Shield.
‘We’re very excited to play a final and have the opportunity to win a trophy,’ continued Arteta.
‘We’re playing against a team that is the team to beat, the best team in Europe last season. We know what their standards are and what we’re going to need to do to win the game, so really excited.’
On whether he expects any more changes to his squad over the coming days and weeks, he added: ‘Well we are in the process. We are working on a few things, we have to make a few decisions. There is still time to do that.
‘We are very happy with the squad that we have, for sure. As well we have to make sure we can share the minutes in the right way for the team to have healthy competition within the squad, and we are working on that.’
MORE : Pep Guardiola breaks silence on Arsenal beating Manchester City to Declan Rice signing
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