Last season, why were we double-killed by Villa? Arteta: They scored, we didn’t. It’s that simple.

At 19:30 on August 31st, Arsenal will play against Brighton at home in the second round of the Premier League. At the pre-match press conference, Arsenal coach Arteta talked about transfer issues, championship issues, long-term coaching issues, and issues with his players.

Arteta refused to talk about Merino: “I can’t talk about any player who isn’t with us yet. Will something happen soon? I’m not sure, the most important thing is tomorrow’s match.”

When asked if “Arsenal players feel it’s time to win the league,” Arteta pointed out: “I always believe in trusting our players, it’s the only way to get the best out of your team and individual players. But when it comes to actually winning something, that’s a different matter. We want to perform at our highest level in every game and win.”

Arsenal was double-killed by Villa last season, regarding this, Arteta answered: “They scored, we didn’t, it’s that simple. In both matches, we had many chances, that was the biggest difference. Why are Aston Villa tough opponents? They dominate many aspects of the game, and when you give them space, they perform very well.”

Arteta pointed out that Timber can play as a midfielder: “He can play in many positions, versatility is one of his greatest strengths. He has been absent for 11 months, and it’s great to have him back. He played some high-quality games a few days ago.”

Talking about Rice, Arteta pointed out: “Should he play as a 6 or an 8? Both are possible. At his age, it would be a big mistake not to have the ability to play in different positions. In the game, he will take on different roles based on the opponent and their performance. This is really important when our squad is incomplete.”

Talking about five players being selected into the PFA Team of the Year, Arteta pointed out: “This is a moment of great pride. Having five players enter the best lineup for two consecutive years is a big deal. Everyone at the club is proud of them and of the team.”

Talking about possible signings before the transfer window closes, Arteta pointed out: “Anything can happen, especially in the last week (before the window closes). You must be prepared because many unexpected things can happen. We are ready.”

Talking about some clubs making very few moves in the summer window, Arteta pointed out: “Every team has a different situation. We know what we want to do and what we can do, that’s the most important.”

Arteta also talked about Sterling: “The time I worked with Sterling was very special. I think we built a very strong relationship. He performed excellently then and taught me a lot about individuals, about how players think, and about how to support and help them. I have deep feelings for him.”

When asked “Would you expect to coach Arsenal for a long time like Guardiola or Klopp?” Arteta pointed out: “I see my today and tomorrow. We (coaches) must live with a sense of urgency, which is something I truly enjoy. Looking ahead two or three years, as a club, you must plan based on our achievements what will happen next. That’s the reality. Do your best and try to enjoy it as much as possible.”