Mikel Arteta Calls Arsenal 'The Biggest Football Club In England'

Mikel Arteta has controversially dubbed Arsenal as 'the biggest club in England' when discussing his new side.

Arteta took over Arsenal before Christmas and drew his first game 1-1 with Bournemouth on Boxing Day.

Arsenal have had a wretched season and are 11th but Arteta has big plans for his new charges.

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He told Sky Sports ahead of Sunday's game with Chelsea:

"We are the biggest football club in England, and we have to play a little bit with that arrogance, that belief. This stadium has to create fear again. I used to hate coming here as an opponent, and we need to use that power."

It's a bold claim to make considering their last Premier League title win came back in 2004.

He also discussed the lack of connection with the club's fans over the last few years.

"I sense in the last few seasons there has been a big disconnection, and we are losing a lot of power.

"I said before that they are probably the most important part of the football club, and we need to get them on board, we need to convince them, and we need to be able to transmit what we are trying to do with the team."

The Spaniard has worked at Manchester City as a coach since retirement and he wants to use that experience in his first managerial role.

"Hopefully on Sunday they will start to see some things where they think: 'OK, I take this on board, I start to like a few things!' The process is going to take some time, but I hope we can start to engage them again.

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"I think things happened in the last two seasons that have a strong say on the situation. If the fans can see an identity close to what they are used to seeing with Arsenal, they will be on board."

"There are some non-negotiables. The demands we put on the team, the commitment, the energy we put in, that dominance."

Arsenal face a huge task of getting back into the top four as they are currently eight points off the Champions League spots.

"This club deserves nothing else but excellence. It deserves the best every single day. Everyone who jumps through that door needs to realise that is what we're going to be requiring."

Do you think Arteta's claims are correct?

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Topics: Football, Premier League, Arsenal, Mikel Arteta

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a freelancer journalist for SPORTbible and covers a variety of sports. He also has past experience of working at Manchester United and once locked eyes with Jose Mourinho. He lived to tell the tale.

@DanMarland1998x