Mikel Arteta Makes Bold Statement About Arsenal Ahead of Opener vs Crystal Palace

• Mikel Arteta expects Arsenal to have a better season than they did in 2021/22
• The Gunners play the first Premier League game of the campaign against Crystal Palace on Friday, August 5
• After a flawless preseason, Arteta believes his wads are ready to challenge the big guns in the new season
• Arteta also admitted he has been surprised by Gabriel Jesus’ adaptation to life as an Arsenal player

Mikel Arteta is looking forward to harnessing Gabriel Jesus’ ‘contagious mentality’, and the Spaniard admitted he was surprised at how quickly the striker has adapted to the Arsenal system.

Jesus has been a revelation for Arsenal, at least in preseason, netting seven goals including a hat trick against Sevilla in the Gunners’ latest outing.

Arteta was the first one to admit he was surprised at how fast Jesus has adapted to his new team after a 45 million pound move from Manchester City.

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"When you bring in top players who are coming from top clubs where they have been extremely successful over the years, they are going to expect that expectation," Arteta said in his last press conference before the start of the Premier League.

"The role Gabriel has here is going to be very different to the role he had at his previous club, that needs some adaptation and some time.

"He's done it fantastically well, we are surprised how quickly he has done it, but we have to share that responsibility.

Arteta on Arsenal’s ambitions this season

While reflecting on the upcoming season, the Arsenal boss also revealed spirits were high at the Emirates, and he expects his side to have a far better start to the campaign than in 2021/22.

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"Now is different context, we are really excited, looking forward to the new season and will try and start in the best possible way. This is how we have with our preparation." he said as quoted by Sky Sports.

“But it’s true, we are with a level of energy and ambition to have a successful season and we have to show that on the pitch tomorrow night.”

Arsenal visit Crystal Palace for their first game of the campaign on Friday, August 5, and Arteta has received a boost in his squad as the likes of Tomiyasu, Emile Smith Rowe, KieranTierney, and Fabio Vieira are in contention to be selected after initial injury woes.

As per the club website, “Three out of four of those players [Tomiyasu, Smith Rowe, Tierney, Vieira] are going to be training this afternoon and if everything goes well, they will be available for selection and in the squad.”

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Anthony Martial a doubt for Man United’s opener

Elsewhere, Anthony Martial is a huge doubt for Manchester United’s opening game on Saturday against Brighton and Hove Albion.

Reports claim Martial has a hamstring strain, and is unlikely to be fit on time for the opener.

The Frenchman has been the go-to man for goals under Ten Hag, netting five goals in preseason.