Mikel Arteta fires Arsenal response to Jurgen Klopp after Man City Premier League title claim
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has issued a response to Jurgen Klopp's claim that only Manchester City can target winning the Premier League title next season. Pep Guardiola's side went on to win the FA Cup and Champions League after lifting the title last term — completing a historic treble-winning season.
City enjoyed a 12-game win streak towards the end of last season whilst Arsenal stumbled following injuries to William Saliba, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Martinelli. The Gunners finished just five points behind the reigning champions but are hoping that the signings of Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz can close that gap down and see them mount another title challenge.
Arteta has hinted at the possibility of further additions to his squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign — with a new central midfielder and right-back thought to be on the club's agenda. David Raya has also emerged as a target with Arsenal submitting a £23million proposal to sign the Brentford goalkeeper.
Although the Gunners topped the table for much of the campaign, Liverpool boss Klopp believes City are the only team who are guaranteed to be in the title race. «Nobody besides maybe City can have the real target to become champions again this year,» the German said earlier this week.
«All the other teams fight for the Champions League and that’s what we do as well. The earlier you qualify for the Champions League, the higher you are in the table.
»If you are second and in striking distance to first then you might have a chance. I don’t know who will be there."
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Asked if he agreed with Klopp’s claim, Arteta replied: «Well I respect that. Obviously they have
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