Arteta Warns Arsenal Must Be Ready for Title Defence

Mikel Arteta has warned Arsenal that defending their Premier League title will require another major effort as the Gunners prepare for the new season.

Arsenal ended a 22-year wait for the league title last season, but Arteta knows the challenge changes once you become the team everyone wants to beat.

The Arsenal manager has stressed the importance of maintaining the hunger that helped his side finally reach the top of English football. Reuters reported that Arteta believes his squad is motivated and ready for the new campaign.

Arsenal have also strengthened their squad during the summer.

One of their new arrivals is Christos Tzolis, who joined from Club Brugge for a reported £34 million fee. The Greece international signed a five-year contract and has been brought in following Leandro Trossard's departure to Besiktas.

Tzolis enjoyed an outstanding 2025/26 campaign in Belgium, scoring 17 league goals and providing 23 assists as Club Brugge won the Belgian title.

The winger has already made an impact in an Arsenal shirt.

In Sunday's Community Shield against Manchester City, Tzolis provided two assists as Arsenal produced a dominant 3-0 victory. He helped set up Kai Havertz before creating Martin Ødegaard's goal in the second half.

That performance has given Arsenal supporters another reason to be excited about the Greek forward.

But Arteta's bigger challenge is clear: winning one Premier League title is difficult. Defending it could be even harder.

Arsenal have already made their intentions clear by beating Manchester City 3-0 to lift the Community Shield.

Now the real test begins.

Can Arteta's Arsenal retain the Premier League title?