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Mikel Arteta opens up on early challenges at Arsenal

:Headline: Mikel Arteta opens up on early challenges at Arsenal:
The Spaniard has endured a testing introduction to life as Gunners boss since taking over in December.

Mikel Arteta believes he could write a book based solely on the challenges presented during the early months of his reign as Arsenal boss.

The 38-year-old replaced Unai Emery in December and has since had to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, including testing positive for Covid-19 himself.

The club also asked their players to take pay cuts when the season was halted and Arteta played his part in smoothing things over there, too, while also trying to address performances and results on the field.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice as Arsenal beat Manchester City in their FA Cup semi-final clash (Justin Tallis/NMC Pool)

The Gunners can only finish as high as eighth in the Premier League this season but do have an FA Cup final against Chelsea to look forward to on August 1.

A former Arsenal captain, this is Arteta's first venture into management and the Spaniard admits he landed the role at a testing time.

"Without a question of a doubt," he replied if the challenge to date has been the biggest of his professional career.

"I can write a book with the last six months but I enjoy it a lot. I have to talk with myself and not with the club or even the fans.

“I can write a book with the last six months but I enjoy it a lot. I have to talk with myself and not with the club or even the fans.”
- Mikel Arteta

"The pressure I put in myself because I want the best, I know the standards of this club and for me it is very difficult to accept certain things.

"I want to get to know the place better, the players and the staff to help me improve in every area."

While results against the Premier League's top sides have proved to be Arsenal's Achilles heel in recent times, they have struggled against those at the other end of the table this season.

They have recorded just two wins in games against the current bottom three and host 18th-placed Watford on Sunday in the final fixture of their league campaign.

Arteta saw his side lose at Aston Villa last time out (Peter Powell/NMC Pool)

Arsenal also slipped to defeat to Aston Villa on Tuesday, a result which moved Dean Smith's side above the Hornets and out of the relegation zone.

Correcting their form against the weaker teams in the division is something Arteta feels can help his side close the gap on the leaders moving forward.

"Look how simple I can put it for you – if we are able to do the same again next season against the top teams and improve against the other ones we are going to be right up there with the best teams," he said.

"But it is not as simple as that but we have difficulty creating chances, that is related to that and it is something we need to improve."

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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CLiverpool38323385335299
2Manchester CityMan City382639102356781
3Manchester UnitedMan Utd381812866363066
4Chelsea382061269541566
5Leicester CityLeicester381881267412662
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs3816111161471459
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves381514951401159
8Arsenal381414105648856
9Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd381412123939054
10Burnley38159144350-754
11Southampton38157165160-952
12Everton381310154456-1249
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381111163858-2044
14Crystal Palace381110173150-1943
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton38914153954-1541
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham38109194962-1339
17Aston Villa3898214167-2635
RBournemouth3897224065-2534
RWatford38810203664-2834
RNorwich CityNorwich3856272675-4921
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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CLiverpool38323385335299
2Manchester CityMan City382639102356781
3Manchester UnitedMan Utd381812866363066
4Chelsea382061269541566
5Leicester CityLeicester381881267412662
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs3816111161471459
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves381514951401159
8Arsenal381414105648856
9Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd381412123939054
10Burnley38159144350-754
11Southampton38157165160-952
12Everton381310154456-1249
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381111163858-2044
14Crystal Palace381110173150-1943
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton38914153954-1541
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham38109194962-1339
17Aston Villa3898214167-2635
RBournemouth3897224065-2534
RWatford38810203664-2834
RNorwich CityNorwich3856272675-4921
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