Mikel Arteta reveals that Arsenal players vowed they would win Premier League this year at dinner just hours after Man City clinched title – as Gunners manager claims his side are ‘looking really sharp’ ahead of season opener

Arsenal’s players vowed they would win the Premier League title next season at a dinner just hours after Manchester City seized the league, revealed Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners had beaten Everton 2-1, but had lost out on the title by two points to Man City.

It’s understood that senior figures like co-chair Josh Kroenke attended the dinner, which also had families present.

Ahead of Arsenal’s match against Wolves on Saturday, he said; ‘(They have been hungry) since the last day (of the season).

‘We had a gathering together with all the club players and the players were saying to me, “We’re going to be better, we’re going to do it, we want more”.

Ahead of Arsenal’s match against Wolves on Saturday, he said; ‘(They have been hungry) since the last day (of the season)’

The Gunners had beaten Everton 2-1, but had lost out on the title by two points to Man City

‘They are the ones driving that ambition. So that’s always positive.’

Arsenal are going into the campaign after twice taking Man City to the edge. Arteta is honest with the margins at stake.

He said: ‘Very excited. It’s like you’re trying to climb the highest mountain, (swimming) the most difficult lake in the world and you’re surrounded by people trying to achieve the same ambition. We’re certainly gonna try.’

On how ready Arsenal are for this upcoming campaign, he added: ‘We’ve been missing the competition for many weeks, too long for us.

‘We’re so willing to start, really enthusiastic about it. We had a really challenging pre-season but we managed to adapt and it was a great challenge for everybody to adapt: different groups, different stadiums, different conditions.

‘We took it as an opportunity and a good challenge. The team has looked really sharp, really at it.’