Arsenal a 'long way' off the level Arteta wants
Mikel Arteta has admitted that Arsenal's current level of performance is a "long way" off what he wants as manager.
Since the former Man City assistant was appointed last season, the Gunners have looked impressive at some points but lacklustre in others.
A perfect microcosm of his tenure at the club emerged over the club's last two Premier League matches, as they initially impressed with a 1-0 away win at Old Trafford, but followed that up with a dismal showing at home versus Aston Villa in a match which they lost 3-0.
They are currently down in 11th having won four out of their opening eight fixtures, and Arteta knows that they need to show a lot more.
"We're a long way, I'm afraid," he told the official club website when asked about Arsenal's development into what he wants.
"It's part of a process. The results have to be immediate, and the challenge we have with the club we are representing is that we have to win as quickly as possible every game in every competition.
"So far we have played 14 games in all competitions this season, we won 10 and lost four and the four of them have been in the Premier League, so it is a little bit imbalanced."
Scoring goals has been the major problem for Arsenal this season as they have scored just nine in the league so far, with only Wolves, West Brom, Burnley, Fulham, and Sheffield United currently holding a worse record in attacking areas.
He remains hopeful of a brighter future for the club, however, despite their troubles so far in 2020/21.
"There are a lot of things to do, short term and medium term, we have seen a lot of changes not only on the pitch but structurally as a club as well," he continued.
"We have to settle and everyone has to realise where we are now, but I see the future as really bright. I am a really positive person and I tend to learn much more when things don't go well and we have a defeat like we had the other day that really hurt after the performance we had at Old Trafford.
"We have to understand why it happened, be really critical first of all with myself and try to understand the players better and give them more solutions to win more football matches."