Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was interviewed by SuperSport, where he reflected on last season's Premier League title triumph, discussed new signings during the summer transfer window, and spoke about his friendships with Iraola and Alonso.

Mikel, thank you so much for speaking with SuperSport. For the first time in over two decades, we're interviewing an Arsenal manager who is the reigning Premier League champion. How does that feel? And what's your reaction to the response from Arsenal fans around the world?

It feels better than I expected, better than any of us expected. Because it's been a long journey. Along the way, we've had some beautiful moments, but clearly there were also moments of self-doubt. When you pour everything you have into something, get so close to achieving it, and then fall short, it's a brutal and difficult blow. But I think we've enjoyed it more than ever because we feel we deserved it. And we did it our way. To see the connection we have with London and with Arsenal fans around the world has been incredible.

What's the atmosphere and energy like at the club now after winning the title?

It's wonderful. Clearly, that moment of winning—it's like awakening a beast inside you that wants to win, a voice constantly telling you: I want to experience this feeling again. And we also realized how much effort it took to achieve that intense emotional experience and that heightened sensation. So it depends on us in daily training, the standards we set for ourselves, and the club's undeniable ambition, as well as the attitude of the entire coaching staff and players. Everyone needs to prove themselves to each other every day, in every routine, step by step, to achieve our ultimate goal once more.

Now that you've done it, the big question on everyone's mind is whether Arsenal can defend the title. What does Mikel Arteta think about that?

We have to prove it on the pitch. In Arsenal's history, we've never defended a Premier League title. So this is a new opportunity in front of us. We know the challenges this will bring, and we also know we're absolutely capable of doing it, but we have to let our actions speak on the pitch. We must demonstrate unwavering focus and confidence in achieving this goal through our words, actions, and daily training habits.

After finishing second in consecutive seasons, you finally got over the line. Does that give you more comfort heading into the new season?

I think it gives you greater clarity and gives you confidence that you can actually do it. But then, a new season is still a long marathon. You have to start with preparation, work hard every day, and constantly challenge yourself. Along the way, you'll face many unexpected emergencies, and you must face and resolve them with a composed mindset while trusting our ability to handle these difficulties.

During Arsenal's title campaign last season, the team demonstrated a very distinctive tactical style. Set pieces played an extremely important role. Can we expect to see similar tactical performance in the new season?

We want to be the best at every phase of the match, at every tactical level. Last season, we excelled at many stages of the competition, not just in set-piece situations but in many other aspects as well, and this was key to increasing our chances of winning the title. In the new season, we'll continue to develop and improve in other areas while hoping to maintain the strong tactical advantages we already have.

You've brought in some new faces during the summer break. What do you expect from their contributions in the new season?

I have a very positive attitude toward them. The early signals they've shown during preseason are very encouraging; it's a very convincing start. I think they'll bring some elements to this team that we were missing, elements I believe the team really needed.

Beyond football talent, what qualities do you value most when recruiting new players?

First and foremost, they have to be a good person. I think they need to be someone who can integrate and strengthen our team's culture, and someone who can build strong bonds with those around them. They need to have clear goals, truly understand why they're joining this club, and have ambition when playing football here. Second, obviously, it's their athletic ability—they must elevate our overall level, make their teammates better, and raise the entire club through their energy, leadership, and winning mentality.

Let's talk about the Premier League overall. It feels like we're at the beginning of a new era, especially with so many managerial changes this season. How do you feel facing more and more managers you used to play alongside?

It's incredible. I mean, life always takes you to places and situations you never expect, and football in particular is magical in that way—something I've witnessed countless times throughout my career. But now, especially with Andoni (Iraola) and Xabi (Alonso), it's really quite unbelievable, because we used to live just five minutes apart in the same city. And now we're both managing top clubs in the Premier League.

Yes, that's exactly what I wanted to ask next. Antiguako. Did I pronounce that correctly?

Yes, that's right.

You three made that academy famous. Tell me how this youth academy shaped your playing career.

I'd say they deserve all the praise in the world. Because I think they inspired us, they ignited a spark in us, made us believe we were good enough, believe we could pursue the dream of becoming professional footballers. But at the same time, they gave us something deeper—a respect for the game, adherence to football values. Not only did they help us understand the game from a player's perspective, but they also taught us to think about football from a coach's perspective. So I'm very grateful for everything they did. I believe many more talented individuals will emerge from there in the future. We were certainly not the only ones, and it's a great honor for us to have reached this position.

You just mentioned Alonso and Iraola. What does it mean to you that the three of you are now managing top clubs in the Premier League?

It's wonderful. We used to play together, train together, and compete against each other. And in the blink of an eye, we're all managing in the best league in the world. We're managing world-class clubs and will face each other directly on the pitch. So I feel incredibly proud.

Many people now admire top managers, and you're one of them. So, where do top managers find their inspiration? Where do you find yours?

There are many sources. My family, my players, my coaching staff, other managers, other sports, even other industries, and so on. Because we know that football will continue to evolve, the entire industry is constantly changing, and the demands and expectations on the pitch keep rising. You have to try to find a better version of yourself to build the best Arsenal Football Club we can have. That's our goal.

Finally, I'd like to talk to you about your break. Did you feel refreshed? Did you do much grilling during the break, like you used to do at Manchester City?

It was really a wonderful summer. The first few days were difficult after losing the Champions League final on penalties, and it took me a while to get over that. But then, I enjoyed a longer break than ever before. I had plenty of time to think about the club's future direction and reflect on myself. Yes, I really enjoyed that time. But in the final few weeks of the break, I felt restless and eager to get back on the pitch, get everything back on track, and see the lads.

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