Mikel Arteta makes touching personal confession when faced with ‘urgent’ Arsenal challenge

Mikel Arteta faces a huge challenge, as his mission is to finally bring major silverware back to the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal have not been crowned Premier League champions since the 2003/04 season, whilst they have never been able to triumph in the Champions League.

Whilst there have been numerous FA Cup successes in recent years, there is a hunger for more in North London.

Since taking the helm at the Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta has succeeded in making the Gunners genuine contenders for major honours again, as his side have finished as runners up in each of the last two Premier League campaigns.

Arsenal were tipped to win the title heading into this season. However, an inconsistent start to the season has left the North London club’s Premier League dream hanging by a thread.

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Mikel Arteta shares impact of Arsenal pressure

Arteta has undeniably done an excellent job in his time at Arsenal, but his ultimate objective still eludes him.

As Arsenal have improved under his guidance, so too expectations and the standards required have escalated in kind.

There is huge pressure upon the Spanish coach and his players to deliver what the fans now expect.

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Speaking to the press ahead of his side’s Champions League clash with Sporting CP, as quoted by the official Arsenal website, Arteta revealed how he handles the pressure that comes with his job.

He said: “At home, that’s why I have a beautiful family, a lovely wife and kids, all the loved ones, and then everybody, all the staff you know.

“That’s why my coaches are so important, all the staff that is around it; upstairs, the same support, same energy is vital, because I just said, they are always bumps, there are always feelings, there are always issues at football clubs, there are always things that are very urgent and have to be resolved right now. I’m very lucky to have that environment.”

Is Mikel Arteta under pressure at Arsenal?

Some Arsenal fans called for Arteta to be sacked earlier this season, as the club’s form in the Premier League threatened to rule them out of the title race during the early exchanges of the campaign.

The Gunners have managed to steady the ship recently though, and will have been hugely boosted by their 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest last time out.

However, there is a long way to go this season, and Arteta will know that he will be judged on where his side stand come the end of the term.

Arteta wields huge power at Arsenal, which certainly protects him from some scrutiny and pressure from those in the club’s hierarchy, but ultimately he is answerable to the fans.

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