Arteta’s warning over ‘lost privilege’ in hint behind Arsenal’s transfer exits

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insists he’s not afraid to get rid of players at the Emirates after letting the likes of Mesut Ozil and Emiliano Martinez leave the club

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Mikel Arteta previews Watford match

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has sent a warning to his squad, insisting they must feel “privileged” to wear the famous red shirt if they want to stay.

The Spaniard, who captained the Gunners between 2014 and 2016, wants to create a culture at the Emirates where no footballer is bigger than the club.

Speaking to Arsenal’s website, Arteta said: “First of all, [what I want for everyone is] the feeling to be privileged to represent this club and be in the position that you are, every time you come through that door.

“If that is lost, you have to go, get in your car and drive home and come back the next day with a different thought, because we’re not going to move the club the way we want [without that].

“That is the purpose, and without a real purpose I don’t think we’re going to achieve what we want.”

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Arsenal have improved significantly under Arteta this season, not losing since August to move up to sixth in the Premier League table ahead of Sunday’s visit of Watford.

Much of this is down to recruitment, with Arteta claiming there’s been an “immense” and “unprecedented” turnover of players since his appointment in December 2019.

The Gunners spent around £140million during the recent transfer window, signing Ben White, Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Martin Odegaard, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Aaron Ramsdale.

Arteta was also busy during the summer of 2020, making six big-name signings – including Pablo Mari and Thomas Partey.

The Spaniard has also said goodbye to several stars, including Mesut Ozil, Shkodran Mustafi, Emiliano Martinez, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Joe Willock.

His comments may also serve as a firm reminder to Matteo Guendouzi and William Saliba, who are both currently out on loan and it remains uncertain if they will be brought back into Arteta’s plans.

Discussing their recent transfer business, Arteta said: “The challenge that we had ahead of us, it was immense.

“It was probably unprecedented at this club. And in the country, it probably hasn’t happened many times.

“There were a lot of question marks. How to do it in a way that, first of all, we could afford it? And how could we have some immediate results with big prospects for the future?

“The turnaround in the squad in 18 months has been incredible. It’s almost a whole new squad and that takes time to glide.

“It took a lot of decisions, but those decisions… do they represent what we want to do? Yes or no. And if it’s a no, they [the players] cannot be here.”

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Sunday’s game against Watford will be Arteta’s 100th in charge and the former Manchester City coach insists he has no regrets at taking the job.

He added: “It’s such a beautiful job, and the project and the people that are involved… it’s worth it, it’s not a risk.

“I think it’s a situation where you have no choice. When you have such feelings like this, and you want to become a manager – and you want to manage Arsenal – do it!”