Arsenal must ‘reach new heights’ as Kroenke sends Arteta message

Arsenal co-chair Josh Kroenke has called on Mikel Arteta and his side to ‘reach new heights’ after a summer of lavish spending.

The Gunners have backed Arteta in the market after three consecutive seasons of finishing as runners-up in the Premier League, splashing €224 million on new recruits so far.

Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga have all joined, while Eberechi Eze is likely to be Arsenal’s final signing of the summer when he completes his €69m move from Crystal Palace shortly.

Many felt that Arsenal should have managed to get over the hump last season, but Liverpool ultimately ran away with the title. It is likely to be a much closer race for silverware this summer, and the pressure is on Arteta to finally deliver.

The Spaniard has come under increasing scrutiny of late, given that he has famously not won a major trophy since the 2020 FA Cup. While it would be premature to suggest that another season without tangible success could cost him his job, it does feel like now-or-never for his project.

Arsenal need to reach new heights

Writing in Arsenal’s matchday programme for Saturday’s clash with Leeds, the club’s co-chair Josh Kroenke has admitted that the Gunners need to ‘reach new heights’ this season.

“Over the summer, we’ve strengthened all our teams with significant investment,” Kroenke began. “We’ve welcomed six new signings to our men’s team, alongside four new women’s players joining the Arsenal family and we’ve invested in our academy too.

“We have made the signings we set out to do. We’re also equally delighted that a number of players have committed to new long-term contracts. We’ve talked a lot this summer about reaching new heights and now it’s time to do just that and put it all into practice.

“Mikel [Arteta], Renee [Slegers], our leadership team and everyone at the club has mine and my father’s full support. Pressure comes from expectation. It’s a positive thing and a privilege, not a burden. It means we’re doing things right.

“We believe in our coaches and our manager, our players and staff and everyone connected to the club. We are greater than the sum of our parts and we believe if we all pull in the same direction, even better days and magical nights are to come.”

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