Mikel Arteta exclusive interview: Arsenal boss rebuilding Gunners' fear factor

"That is something I think they have right now," Mikel Arteta tells Sky Sports with a smile. The Spaniard is describing his efforts to bring the fear factor back to Arsenal, referencing recent footage of his players staring down opponents in the tunnel before games.

The images delighted fans and evoked memories of Arsenal's title-winning teams of the past. Former vice-chairman David Dein tells a story about how the intimidation tactics were choreographed by Patrick Vieira and team-mates. It seems Arteta has heard it.

"That body language, in my opinion, is very, very important," Arteta adds. "It is something the players have to feel. And to be able to feel it, they have to feel that confidence, they have to feel emotionally prepared as well to make that step. They are growing."

It helps, of course, that they are now a physically imposing side. With two natural centre-backs in the full-back positions in Ben White and Jakub Kiwior, and with Kai Havertz and Declan Rice added to the midfield and attack, there is stature throughout the team.

The Arsenal sides Arteta played in were different; highly technical but lacking the ability to dominate physically. He is proud that the current iteration, defensively diligent, deadly from set-pieces and yet also fluid and imaginative in possession, are able to do both.

"You want to maintain all the qualities we had in the past and keep improving," he explains. "Don't lose them. Add, and add, and add, without losing anything. That is the aim of the club and every coach, to be better in every department.

"That is what this league requires."

Havertz and Rice were signed, at considerable expense, for their physical prowess. But only in part. "That is a huge quality of theirs but as well their