I was just joshing (joking) fella don't take it personal. like you say we won all that matters.Originally Posted by Ach
I was just joshing (joking) fella don't take it personal. like you say we won all that matters.
Good performance today, more progressive in his passing and decided to have a crack from range, which he should do more of.
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/...-league-artetaManchester City are favourites to win the Premier League title this season, believes Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta.
The two English teams face each other in a pre-season clash in China on Friday a little over two months after the Blues beat Manchester United to the top of the table on goal difference.
Arteta, 30, believes Arsenal can challenge for higher than third place this year but accepts that Roberto Mancini’s side will be top dogs.
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He told reporters: “I think Manchester City would be the favourite team in next EPL season. If we could beat them in Beijing, it would be a bright start for a new season.
“Anyway, Arsenal also has a big chance to fight for the title, if we could show our abilities totally, we could overcome any rivals.”
The former Everton player was a regular under Arsene Wenger in the 2011-12 season after signing for the Gunners on transfer-deadline day last summer.
Arteta said he hoped to impact more in attack this campaign, adding: “At least I should score more than 10 goals. I believe I could do that.”
So far this summer Wenger has lured Germany attacker Lukas Podolski and French striker Olivier Giroud to boost the Gunners attack.
Arteta praised the pair, saying: “Podolski could play in my positions in the pitch.
“Giroud played quite well in last season in Ligue 1. He was the top scorer. Both of them would strength the attacking.”
Arteta was brought to the Emirates Stadium a year ago to help fill the void left by Barcelona-bound Cesc Fabregas, and the Spanish playmaker admitted he believes the two are comparable.
“We are actually similar in some way,” he said. “But there are still something different.
“He would like to play behind our forwards, and my position is a little bit deeper, as a defensive midfield.”
Spain’s 4-0 thrashing of Italy in the Euro 2012 final cemented the nation’s place as the top international side on the planet, and Arteta revealed he would love to be part of their 2014 World Cup squad.
“Spain have more talent players that we have never seen before,” the Arsenal player continued.
“There are battles for all 11 positions. I still work hard, I hope I could have a chance to play for my country in 2014 Brazilian World Cup.”
Arteta, who played for Barcelona during his youth, admitted the style of play at Arsenal is not to dissimilar to that of the Catalan club.
“We have the similar football philosophy - keep the ball, attack forever and [be] skilful," he said.
“As a player who started football career in Barcelona, I would always like to play football like this.”
Good to see he admits he was a bit shit attacking wise last season
ArtetaOrbinho @Orbinho
Joe Allen today 74 passes 93% completion. Nuri Sahin 45 passes 93% completion. Mikel Arteta 92 passes 95% success rate..
Time for Spain to cap him tbf.
Better than Xavi and Busquets.
Arteta was immense in DM role today.
“Other clubs never came into my thoughts once I knew Arsenal wanted to sign me.” Dennis Bergkamp
"I started clapping myself until I realized that i was sunderland's manager". Peter Reid
"Happy those, who can remain at Highbury." Jane Austen, Emma
Impressive stats although passing sideways is not very threateningArteta
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/...-a-deeper-roleMikel Arteta has said he is happy to do "the best thing for the team" and play in an unfamiliar deep role in Arsenal's midfield this season.
He also revealed that manager Arsene Wenger had assured him that moving from his normal position was in the best interests of the squad as a whole - which the Spanish midfielder says is a big change, but one he is prepared to undergo.
The 30-year-old acknowledged that during his side's 1-1 draw with Manchester City it was important to have a creative yet physical presence in the centre of the pitch.
"It is a big transition but it is more a mental thing. The boss is convinced that is the best thing for the team and I am too, so let’s do it," he told the club's official website.
"If it works, and in games like that where you probably think you need a more physical presence but you still create and are able to match the physical ability and the way they play, it reinforces your belief. I am totally happy that is a good way to play."
With the result against City, Arsenal maintained their unbeaten start to the new season - which Arteta said was down to the attitude of all the players - arguing, in fact, that his team were the better side at the Etihad Stadium.
Despite praising the Gunners' mentality, he also warned that they need to be more consistent in the future if they want to challenge for top honours.
"The attitude has been spot on and we know it can only be like this," he added.
"It cannot be any other way for a game or 20 minutes in a game when you relax, because you are going to pay for it and against big teams like this, even more.
"For us, it’s good because we believe that we are as good as them, at least. I think on Sunday we were better than them. If we are, then all we need is consistency."
Good team player and someone we can do with v the big teams when we need to keep the ball but against the Sunderlands/Norwichs etc, he needs to be more creative
which is exactly what song tried to do last year resulting in us conceding stupid goals because there was no one back to help cover the defence.
Against Sunderland on the opening day, Arteta was the most frustrating player on the pitch.
He had lots of possession but did f all with it and it was the same last season even with Song in the side.
We know he can be creative so he needs to try it more often
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