Arsenal’s hunt for a first Premier League title in over two decades begins on Sunday with a blockbuster clash against a rejuvenated Manchester United, and manager Mikel Arteta is urging his squad to “keep digging” until they finally strike gold.
Since his appointment in December 2019, Arteta has overseen steady progress but endured painful near-misses. The Gunners have ended the past three seasons as runners-up twice surrendering momentum to Manchester City and last year falling behind Liverpool after injuries derailed their campaign. For many Arsenal supporters, patience is wearing thin, with doubts lingering over whether Arteta can truly deliver the biggest prize.
Yet, there are reasons for optimism. Arsenal’s journey to last season’s Champions League semi-final showcased their growing pedigree, even if Paris Saint-Germain eventually halted their run. Now strengthened by a £180 million summer spending spree, Arteta insists his squad are equipped to push all the way.
“You keep digging and digging because one day the gold will be there,” Arteta told reporters on Friday. “We’ve been one of the most consistent teams in this league for three years, but the challenge is to finish with more points than anyone else. That’s the standard.”
Injuries to key players such as Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz left Arsenal blunt in attack last season, contributing to a league-high 14 draws compared to Liverpool’s nine. Arteta knows that fine margins will decide whether Arsenal’s consistency finally transforms into glory.
As they head to Old Trafford to face Erik ten Hag’s reshaped United side, Arsenal enter with belief, pressure, and the weight of history. The question remains: will this be the year they stop digging and finally unearth the title that has eluded them since 2004?
