Arsenal led the Premier League for 248 days final season – essentially the most by any aspect to not win the title; Gunners start season in opposition to Man City at Wembley; observe the Community Shield between Arsenal and Man City throughout Sky Sports on Sunday with our dwell weblog; kick-off 4pm

Mikel Arteta has admitted he questioned whether or not he was the fitting individual to proceed to guide Arsenal after their disappointing finish to final season.

The Gunners have been crushed to the Premier League title regardless of main the desk for 248 days – essentially the most by any aspect to not declare the trophy within the competitors’s historical past.

A run of simply two wins from eight league video games throughout April and May – mixed with a 12-match profitable streak from City – noticed Pep Guardiola’s aspect overhaul their rivals’ wholesome lead atop the desk.

Arsenal additionally failed to return near success in both the Europa League, FA Cup or Carabao Cup, which means Arteta’s aspect ended what had regarded a extremely promising marketing campaign empty-handed.

Speaking forward of Sunday’s Community Shield, when Arsenal will renew acquaintances with City at Wembley, Arteta mirrored on his response to occasions on the finish of final season, saying: “The first few weeks, very powerful.

“The first thing you have to do is look in the mirror and understand – is there something that you should have done better or differently? If that is the case then learn from it.

“Judge your self. Are you continue to the fitting individual to drive the membership, the workforce, forwards in the best way that you really want and do you may have that vitality and that perception that you just wish to do it?

“It took a big reflection, but the answer is yes and I feel with a lot of energy and positiveness.”

Arsenal have been eight factors away from City initially of April however threw away two-goal leads in successive video games in opposition to West Ham and Liverpool, permitting either side to return again and declare attracts.

The Gunners’ subsequent match noticed them held to a 3-3 house draw by lowly Southampton – who have been relegated weeks later – earlier than they have been thrashed 4-1 on the Etihad by a rampant City.

That run of outcomes noticed Arsenal’s title hopes evaporate and, trying again on these video games, Arteta is aware of his aspect ought to have turned the three consecutive attracts into wins.

“We had games that we didn’t win, especially the three draws that we had when momentum shifted,” he mentioned. “We should have won those games and we had enough to win those games – it was in our hands.

“They have been key moments once we simply weren’t ruthless sufficient, scientific sufficient, did not have the luck or we made sure errors that allowed that to occur. We should recognise that as nicely.”

Arteta: Arsenal must improve to challenge City

Looking ahead to Arsenal’s latest encounter with City, Arteta admitted his side must improve this season to challenge for major silverware.

Asked if the Community Shield – the curtain-raiser for the new campaign – marks the start of a new era for the club, Arteta said: “This is what we would like, combating for each trophy. We should show that.

“What we did last year was not enough to win the big trophy and we have to be better. We’re very excited to play a final and have the opportunity to win a trophy.

“We’re taking part in in opposition to a workforce that’s the workforce to beat, the very best workforce in Europe final season and we all know what the requirements are.”

Follow the Community Shield between Arsenal and Man City across Sky Sports on Sunday with our live blog; kick-off 4pm.

Arsenal’s first five fixtures

• August 6: Arsenal vs Manchester City (Community Shield, Wembley), kick-off 4pm
• August 12: Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest, kick-off 12.30pm
• August 21: Crystal Palace vs Arsenal, kick-off 8pm – dwell on Sky Sports
• August 26: Arsenal vs Fulham, kick-off 3pm
• September 3: Arsenal vs Manchester United, kick-off 4.30pm – dwell on Sky Sports

Arsenal’s pre-season fixtures and results

Arsenal start season against Nottingham Forest

Arsenal will begin their 2023/24 Premier League season at house to Nottingham Forest on Saturday August 12.

The Gunners then face two London derbies in opposition to Crystal Palace and Fulham earlier than internet hosting Manchester United of their first ‘Big Six’ match of the season on September 3, dwell on Sky Sports.

The first north London derby of the season takes place on the Emirates Stadium on September 24, dwell on Sky Sports, with the return fixture on April 27 – the fourth-last sport of the marketing campaign.