Mikel Arteta emphasized that the primary goal for Arsenal is to secure silverware and acknowledged that his season will be evaluated based on the number of trophies won by the north London club.
Arsenal will kick off their FA Cup journey with a third-round match against Portsmouth on Sunday, continuing their pursuit on all four competitive fronts.
Currently, Arteta’s team enjoys a six-point lead in the Premier League, and they are the only team in the Champions League that has triumphed in all six of their matches thus far.
After visiting Fratton Park, Arsenal will head to Chelsea for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final next Wednesday.
Arteta’s only silverware since taking charge came during the disrupted 2020 season, his first in command of the Gunners, where they overcame Portsmouth in the fifth round before defeating Chelsea at an empty Wembley.
“We definitely want the FA Cup and to go after all the major trophies,” Arteta stated. “That’s what we are striving for, and it’s the team’s objective.”
“Ultimately, our performance is what will be judged today. What happened last week is irrelevant. We’ll be assessed based on our achievements at the end of the season.”
“Trophies are important to clubs like ours, and there are many factors we must address, especially considering the challenges we’re currently facing.”
“I don’t have high expectations, but I’m very content with my position and the team I work with. I hope they understand we will do everything we can to win as much as possible.”
Mikel Arteta Looks to Kai Havertz for FA Cup Match
Arteta directed a 2-0 victory against Portsmouth, marking Arsenal’s second-to-last match before the country entered lockdown nearly six years ago.
It was confirmed shortly after the win that Arteta had contracted Covid.
Reflecting on the game at Fratton Park, Arteta remarked, “I wasn’t feeling great during that match. When we scored, all I wanted was to go home because I was shaking and unwell! But that’s in the past now.”
Arsenal has not suffered a defeat against Portsmouth since 1958, and Arteta is likely to make adjustments to his lineup for the club’s third match out of nine this month.
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Kai Havertz, who hasn’t played since the season opener due to knee surgery, is expected to participate against the Championship side.
Arteta noted, “When a player has the opportunity to represent our club, they must strive for excellence, and Kai understands this. I believe he will be in the squad again. He has been training well, gradually increasing his workload and managing it effectively. It will be fantastic to have him back.”
Riccardo Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera, and Max Dowman will be unavailable, while Piero Hincapié is uncertain after being substituted during Arsenal’s goalless draw against Liverpool on Thursday.