Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to become "best club in the world"

Arsenal begin their defence of the English title against newly promoted Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium on Friday, with Arteta determined to keep his players hungry after ending the club's long wait for the championship.

The Gunners have not won back-to-back English titles since the 1930s, but Arteta believes they have the ambition and resources to establish a period of sustained success.

"It's certainly the ambition of the club and the owners to be the best club in the world," Arteta told Sky Sports.

"In order to do that, you need the best facilities, the best stadium, the best supporters, and you need the best squad and the best players in the world.

"That's what we try to build with the actual players that we have, and with the players that we want to sign to make the difference for Arsenal."

Arteta knows maintaining Arsenal's position at the top will be harder than reaching it. The Spaniard has challenged his squad to improve again after their title-winning campaign and a painful Champions League final defeat by Paris Saint-Germain on penalties last season.

"It's very difficult. You have to raise the level from every angle," he said.

"When I look into the eyes of my players, I see that fire, that desire and the will to be better every single day."

Arsenal have already shown they are not satisfied with one major trophy. They beat Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield on Sunday, with new signings Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis adding further quality to Arteta's squad.

The Gunners are also expected to remain active in the transfer market, with Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa close to joining and reports linking them with Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez.

Captain Martin Odegaard believes Arsenal have set themselves even bigger targets for the new campaign.

"This year we want more. We want to do it again in the league and then there are the other trophies," Odegaard said.

For Arteta, domestic success remains the immediate priority, but Arsenal's ambitions extend beyond England.

With Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea all looking to challenge, the pressure will be on the champions from the opening weekend.

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