Arteta confident Arsenal can surpass 2025/26 achievements
By Luke Oluoch, September 7, 2026Mikel Arteta believes his Arsenal team is capable of surpassing their own achievement from the 2025/26 title-winning campaign in the new season.
The Spaniard made the bold declaration in the wake of Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Chelsea at Emirates Stadium, stressing that the outcome is a benchmark of just how far the team could go.
The win maintained Arsenal’s perfect start to the 2026/27 campaign, with three wins from as many matches and put them second in the table behind Manchester City only on goal difference.
Performing at a higher level
“I think it is an indication for us of how capable we are of performing at an even higher level than last season,” he said.
He, however, reiterated his sentiments on the need to maintain lofty standards and stay hungry if the declaration is to come to fruition.
“It depends on how we maintain and sustain that desire, that humility, and continue every day to try to find a better version of myself and the team. We still have a lot to grow and a lot to offer, and this is the ambition of the team.
Fightback
On the specifics of the thrilling comeback victory, Arteta singled out the fighting spirit of his charges, particularly their response to going down to Morgan Rogers’stunner in the opening stages of the derby duel.
“I think it was an exceptional performance. I think I enjoyed every minute of it from the beginning to the end, and the beginning was tough, but I enjoyed it because the team reacted in a spectacular way with a proper reaction and fighting spirit to going a goal down,” he explained.
Arsenal ended a 22-year wait last season to clinch the domestic crown and now looks to defend the honours after the club hierarchy backed Arteta and his technical bench in a summer transfer window highlighted by the arrival of former Newcastle skipper Bruno Guimarães.
The Gunners are also a leading contender for a first European title after reaching the Champions League final on May 30, 2026, where they eventually lost to the French outfit, PSG.