Mikel Arteta has outlined the purpose behind Arsenal’s pre-season preparations and expressed his optimism for the season ahead, as the Gunners prepare to face Villarreal at the Emirates Stadium.
In his programme notes that were captured by Softfootball, Arteta spoke in depth about the thinking behind the club’s summer schedule and the value of each opponent chosen.
With games already played against Watford, AC Milan, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, the Gunners are now preparing for back-to-back home matches against Villarreal and Athletic Club, two sides with Champions League football on their horizon.
Arteta, speaking to the Arsenal media, said this:
“We know what we want from pre-season, which is why we have planned the schedule like this.
“We’ve been changing conditions, changing contexts… and now we are playing at home against two teams preparing to be in the Champions League.”
The Arsenal manager highlighted Villarreal’s tactical structure under Marcelino, stating that their system will provide the kind of challenge his players are likely to face during the Premier League season.
He continued:
“Villarreal are playing at the highest level, and Marcelino likes to play a very specific type of system. When we arrange these pre-season matches, I always look at how the manager sets up his teams, how they coach different phases of play. These are the types of experiences that go into our ‘database’ for the season.”
Arteta noted that the different styles of opposition help Arsenal adapt physically and tactically ahead of competitive fixtures. He expects a high-quality test against the Spanish side.
He added:
“Each game demands something different the spaces to attack, the ways to defend, the phases of the opponent’s build-up. Playing Villarreal will help us improve those aspects.”
Arteta also took the opportunity to reflect on the club’s summer transfer business. While specific names were not mentioned, he spoke positively about how the new arrivals have been integrated into the group.
He continued about the new signings:
“They’ve brought fresh energy and enthusiasm. It’s shaken things up in the right way,”
he wrote.
“There have been no surprises; they’ve settled well, got important minutes on tour, and they’re developing ahead of the new season. They add real quality and depth, which is exactly what we’ll need.”
Turning to the campaign ahead, Arteta reiterated his confidence in the squad’s ability to compete at the highest level.
He said:
“We know what our targets are. We’ve been very close in recent seasons. But to achieve our goals, we need to stay focused on what we do every single day. The internal demands must always exceed the external ones.”
Arsenal will be facing Villarreal this evening at 6 pm as they wrap up their preseason campaign. Recall Softfootball reported that the Gunners manager has said the club will pick all the positives encountered in all their preseason games.
Having completed their Asian tour with a lone-goal defeat to Tottenham, Arsenal will be seeking to make a difference this evening.
