Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hit out at critics of the club who "intend to bury us" and urged fans to rally around their players when Chelsea visit Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The Gunners were beaten 2–0 by newly promoted Brentford in their Premier League opener, prompting widespread backlash, with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher describing Arsenal's defense as "weak, rookie – men against boys". .
Arteta declined to name specifics, but sought to cheer up supporters ahead of their clash against Champions League holders, whom they defeated at home and away in the league last season.
When asked about Arsenal's difficult start, Arteta said: "We knew from the beginning. You have to play 38 matches against all the teams at the end of the season and that's the perception, the pressure and again the negativity.
"I just want people who are creative around me. I know people intend to bury us and criticize us, but we're not interested in that. We have a lot of positivity and a lot of energy, new energy." It's coming. My whole focus is on him and finding a way to beat Chelsea because we can, because we've done it.
“In moments when there are people and there is some negativity around the place, you need your fans and your supporters more than ever. They have always been with the team and I have no doubt that on Sundays they Will be right behind. Team.
“If there is one thing the team needs, it is this. If they really want to help the team, there is no better medicine for them than to feel very close to [the fans] with the right energy and support them And by staying behind him and the team will try to give their best."
Arsenal revealed on Thursday that four players - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Willian, Alex Runnerson - tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the Brentford game, meaning Arteta will have to face a late change in their lineup. was forced to.
The quartet is suspicious to face Chelsea. Premier League sources told ESPN that Arsenal never formally requested that the match be postponed but Arteta still thought the game should have been called off.
"Yes, I was surprised but the regulators decided that the best thing to do is to play the game," he said. "What we did was we had to do it through the club, and the club doctor explained the situation, how it developed and the risks we considered."
Arsenal have now spent more than any other Premier League club after Real Madrid announced a deal worth up to €40 million from Martin Odegaard.
Aaron Ramsdale is expected to follow after agreeing a total transfer of €35m with the add-on which, in addition to the acquisitions of Ben White, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares, takes their total spending to around £140m .
"We'll see where we end up with the money we've spent and what we've done over the years," he said.
"We'll have seven players who have left the club and five are coming, so we're not bringing in more players than before. It's already a big change and we're going to try and do it. Right, so this club is stable. It's a clear indicator of the business we're doing. Age is between 21 and 23 and that tells you the project we're building."