Arteta: Villarreal match is a ‘vital’ test for Arsenal ahead of the Premier League season

Mikel Arteta has outlined the thinking behind Arsenal’s pre-season programme ahead of tonight’s friendly against Villarreal at the Emirates.

The Gunners boss is preparing to return to the home dugout for the first time this summer and says every detail of the club’s summer schedule has been carefully planned.

“We know what we want from pre-season, which is why we’ve planned the schedule like this,” Arteta said.

The team has already travelled across different climates and challenges, taking on Watford, AC Milan, Newcastle, and Tottenham in recent weeks.

Now, with Villarreal and Athletic Club both visiting north London, Arteta believes the final phase of pre-season will offer vital preparation ahead of the new campaign.

“Villarreal are playing at the highest level,” he said. “Their manager Marcelino uses a very specific system and formation that we’ll face in the Premier League. These are the kind of challenges we need.”

Arteta explained that opposition is selected not just for quality but for tactical variety.

“When we arrange these matches, I always look at how the manager sets up his teams, how they coach them, the kind of players they have,” he added.

Each game, he says, offers data and experience that helps Arsenal evolve their game model.

“These games go into our ‘database’ and help us throughout the season,” he said. “It’s all about learning how to attack and defend different spaces.”

The Villarreal fixture will also give home supporters a first look at some of the new signings in action.

“They’ve brought fresh energy and shaken things up,” Arteta said. “They’ve settled in exactly as we expected.”

Many of the newcomers gained minutes during the Asia tour, and Arteta says they are developing well physically and tactically.

“They add quality and depth to the squad, and we’re going to need that this season,” he said.

With a new campaign fast approaching, Arteta also made clear that the club’s ambitions remain high.

“We know what our targets are,” he said. “We’ve been very close in the past few seasons.”

He stressed that internal standards must exceed any outside expectations.

“The demands we set ourselves every day are what matter most,” he said. “That’s what drives us forward.”

Arteta also urged fans to help create momentum from the off.

“We want our people to start connecting with our players straight away,” he said. “At home, we want to feel invincible.”