Arsenal want to be the best, a lot to improve - Arteta

Mikel Arteta

emphasized that

“want to be the best” and is confident his side is able to improve in “every department” notwithstanding their rich vein of form.

Arsenal did not get off on the right foot at the start of the season as they suffered three consecutive defeats but they have recovered as they are on their run of eight unbeaten games, winning six and drawing two.

The Gunners kept five clean sheets, conceding only four goals and meeting the back of the net 15 times, but the boss is not yet satisfied with his side’s progress and believes they can improve.

"[

We have improved by]

<em>

going game by game, trying to improve every single game, trying to keep the spirit and the perspective in the right place when things are not working and the same when things are getting better,"

Arteta said before Arsenal's Premier League clash with Leicester City. 

"There are still a lot of things to improve. We know that we don't want to be where we are, we want to be the best and to do that there are a lot of things that have to get better. 

"I think in every department we can get better. The use of the ball, the understanding of the game, how we manage situations, how we deal with moments of pressure.

"In everything, every department I think we still have a lot of improvements to make, but there are some basics that we are doing much better, which helps a lot in football matches."

Arteta did not name what his squad need to achieve to enjoy a successful season, but he referred to how they can improve in each game.

"

I think to be successful we have to play well first,"

Arteta added. 

"We have to be dominant and we have to have the identity that we have in every single game and compete and be a really difficult team to beat and, if that happens, we will have a better chance.

"A consequence of that would be success, but I just focus on the process and what is in our hands to try together."

Arteta talked about loanee

William Saliba

, who is impressing on his loan spell at Marseille, with his remarkable performance in a 0-0 draw against Paris Saint-Germain. The manager believes the 20-year-old can earn a spot in the squad when he returns next year.

"

Yes I [saw Sailba's performance],"

Arteta continued. 

"We are always in touch. Edu and Ben [Knapper] the loans coach were there to watch him and to keep a close eye on him and the progress they are making. Obviously, he is our player and we do it with all the loan players we have.

"[Sailba staying at Arsenal and competing for a starting spot is] a decision we will make in the summer. He is our player and naturally, that will happen but we have to sit down in the summer and decide what the best step is next.

"I think there is room [for Saliba, Ben White and Gabriel]. It will depend on what happens with other players and that's not a conversation to have now."

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