MIKEL ARTETA has promised fans that Arsenal are a united club.
The Gunners came crashing back down to earth from beating Man City to reach the FA Cup final by slipping to a shock 1-0 loss to Aston Villa.
The defeat exposed festering problems at Arsenal and those concerns were only magnified when a plane flew over Villa Park with the message: “BACK ARTETA KROENKE OUT”.
It followed comments from Arteta after the weekend win at Wembley in which he sent a message to owner Stan Kroenke and the board that he had “big concerns” over his summer transfer budget.
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But speaking last night, the 38-year-old Spaniard insisted he has their backing.
He told Sky Sports: “I have full support from the Kroenkes, the board, the sporting director and we are putting a very strong plan together to try to do as much as we can in the shortest period.
“The league table doesn’t lie. We know the gap that we have to fill and we are on board trying to do everything together. I want to emphasise that we need to improve in many areas.
”First of all it’s my responsibility to improve the team and the mentality of course, and after that we need to get better in certain areas. The top teams are better than us in certain areas and we have to do that.
“The uncertainty is the reality. The coronavirus has hit everybody hard.
“We don’t know if we will be in Europe and there is uncertainty with a few players. I try hard to try to be honest and that is what I said.
“The fans have to believe what I am saying. If I don’t believe it, I would not say that.”
The defeat to Aston Villa left Arsenal 10th in the table.
It also means Arteta has the worst record after 19 games than the last FOUR Arsenal managers – including his flop predecessor Unai Emery.
On top of that, it confirmed Arsenal’s only hope of qualifying for next season’s Europa League is by beating Chelsea in next month’s FA Cup final.
Arteta said: “It has to hurt and we have to suffer. It’s not good enough and we have to put it right. We know the challenge is really big and there will be ups and downs.
“This was a down but sometimes it is good to see the reality and then move on and improve.”
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By: Simon Rice
Title: Arteta insists he has Arsenal’s ‘full backing.. the fans have to believe me’ after ‘Kroenke Out’ banner flown at Villa
Sourced From: www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/12190458/arteta-kroenke-arsenal-fans/
Published Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2020 08:45:23 +0000
