Mikel Arteta: We Want to Make Arsenal the Best Club in the World

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has declared his ambition to build upon their Premier League title win, vowing to transform the Gunners into "the best club in the world." Arsenal kicks off their title defense against Coventry on Friday evening.

The Gunners lifted the trophy last season for the first time in 22 years and have already moved to strengthen their squad with key signings like Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimarães.

Arteta emphasized that the club will continue to attract elite players to propel Arsenal to the very top.

"Certainly, the ambition of the club and the owners is to be the best club in the world," he told Sky Sports during a Premier League season launch event. "To achieve that, you need the best facilities, the best stadium, the best supporters, as well as the best squad and the best players in the world.

These are the people who win you football matches and who can be decisive when it matters," the Spaniard added. "That's exactly what we are trying to build with the current players we have and with those we want to bring in to make a difference for Arsenal."

Arsenal enters the season as clear favorites to defend their title, a status further cemented by their convincing 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday.

However, Arteta claims he is entirely comfortable with the favorite tag.

"I think it's part of our industry and it's normal," he said. "For me, what's important is when I look into my players' eyes and see that fire, that desire and will to get better every day. That's the only thing that concerns me."

The weight of history, however, is against Arsenal in their bid to defend the trophy. The club hasn't managed to retain their top-flight title since the 1990s. This presents another challenge Arteta is determined to overcome.

"This is an opportunity that lies ahead of us, and we are fully aware of what it will take to achieve it," he stated. "But I feel the ambition, I feel the desire, I feel the capability and the conviction within the squad that we can do it."