Arsenal have 'belief' to end trophy drought, says Arteta

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the Gunners believe this season will be different as they aim to get over a series of near misses at winning silverware. Arteta has not won a trophy since lifting the FA Cup in his debut season in charge in 2019/20.However, he has transformed Arsenal back into serial contenders for major trophies. Arteta's men have finished second in the Premier League for the past three years and reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009 last season.The pressure is now on the Spaniard to get over the line after another major investment in new players in the transfer window. Nearly £200mn ($266mn) has been spent on new striker Viktor Gyokeres, midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, centre-back Cristhian Mosquera as well as winger Noni Madueke and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga."We know what our targets are and what we want to achieve this season -- there is a big belief in our ability to achieve that," Arteta said in his programme notes before pre-season friendly against Villarreal, which the Gunners lost 2-3 Wednesday."We have been very, very close the last few seasons and the whole team is going to determine whether we achieve that or not. But at the same time, we have to make sure that we don't lose sight of what we have to do on a daily basis to get to the levels that we want. We have to set the demands that we want within this goal, because that's the most important thing -- the internal demands have to always exceed any external demand. That is what we are trying to achieve every single day."Arteta added he wants his players to feel "invincible" at home thanks to a special connection with the club's fans. "We want our people to start connecting with our players straight away, to start to build momentum and to start to feel that at home we are invincible," he said."That we play here with such passion, energy and connection with our people, that we are going to win the game."Meanwhile, Arsenal were edged out by La Liga side Villarreal in first home fixture of pre-season, in a game where all six of North London club's summer signings had a run out.Despite dominating the first-half, Arsenal found ourselves 2-0 down on the half hour. Nicolas Pepe – on his return to Emirates Stadium – scored the opener before Karl Etta Eyong doubled the advantage from close range.Arsenal struck back instantly thanks to Christian Norgaard’s first goal since joining in the summer, but Arnaut Danjuma broke clear after the interval to restore the visitors’ two-goal lead. Martin Odegaard netted a penalty with 15 minutes remaining, but Arsenal couldn’t force the equaliser, falling to defeat in their penultimate game before the Premier League campaign kicks off on Sunday week.Arsenal looked to dominate from the first whistle, and with Viktor Gyokeres in the starting XI for the first time, Arsenal were playing to get the ball forward quickly. The Swedish striker had his first couple of touches in the box within the opening minute, the second a pullback that just eluded Bukayo Saka. Ethan Nwaneri was in the mood early on as well, and fired wide on five minutes.The ball had barely left the opposition half during the opening 15 minutes, so it was very much against the run of play that Villarreal took the lead. Pape Gueye struck the post with a low shot from outside the area, and it pinged back into play off the diving David Raya’s back. Arsenal failed to clear the cross back into the box and Pepe was there to capitalise on Arsenal's indecision and stab home. The former Gunner – who made more than 100 appearances for Arsenal over three seasons – made a point of not celebrating his goal.Arsenal got back on the front foot instantly. Saka had a shot saved after chopping onto his left foot in the box, before Gabriel Martinelli couldn’t generate power on his header from Ben White’s cross. But for the second time in the half Arsenal were hit on the counter. Santiago Mourino forced a good low save from Raya, but Arsenal didn’t deal with the rebound, and Etta Eyong tapped home from close range. Within moments though Arsenal pulled one back. Martinelli’s inswinging corner floated over everyone, and found Norgaard unmarked at the far post to head home his first goal in Gunners colours.Cristhian Mosquera and Martin Zubimendi were introduced for the second half and Arsenal started to put the Villarreal goal under more pressure. Nwaneri had a long-range free-kick saved before Gyokeres and Merino both forced saves from Luiz Junior. Once again though Villarreal hit us on the break. This time Danjuma sprinted onto a long pass deep in Arsenal's half, then struck a sweet finish inside the far post.The game continued to be open. Mikel Arteta made full use of his substitutes’ bench and one of the second-half subs Max Dowman won the penalty to pull us back into the game. Pau Navarro brought down the 15-year-old – who was also making his first appearance for the first team at Emirates Stadium – for a spot kick with 15 minutes to go. Odegaard stepped up and stroked in from 12 yards to reduce the deficit again. From then on Villarreal defended well to hold onto their win.Arsenal's final pre-season fixture will be also at Emirates Stadium on Saturday – against Athletic Club in the Emirates Cup. Arsenal begin their Premier League campaign with a blockbuster trip to Manchester United on August 17.