Mikel Arteta has declared Arsenal's ambition to become the best football club in the world, as the Premier League champions prepare to defend their title for the first time in over two decades.

The Gunners lifted the Premier League trophy last season — ending a 22-year wait — and have already moved decisively in the transfer market, bringing in key signings such as Christian Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes to strengthen their squad.

"It's certainly the ambition of the club and the owners to be the best club in the world," Arteta told Sky Sports. "In order to do that, you need the best facilities, the best stadium, the best supporters, and you need the best squad and the best players in the world."

Arsenal's credentials as favourites were further reinforced by a commanding 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, and Arteta insists he is fully comfortable carrying the burden of expectation into the new campaign.

"For me, it's when I look into the eyes of my players and I see that fire, that desire and the will to be better every single day," he said. "That's the only thing that I care about."

The weight of history

Arsenal have not defended the top-flight title since the 1990s, making this season a genuine opportunity to rewrite the club's record books. Arteta acknowledged the challenge directly.

"That's an opportunity that we have ahead, and we are very conscious of what it's going to take to deliver that," he said. "But I feel the ambition, I feel the desire, and I feel the ability and the conviction around the team that we can do it."

Chief executive sets the standard

Arsenal chief executive Richard Garlick echoed Arteta's ambition, stressing that the club's recruitment focus has shifted firmly towards players who can make an immediate, decisive impact at the highest level.

"Now we're competing right at the top level, and we do need to bring in players that are going to change the dial," Garlick said. "If we're able to combine those players that are coming through the academy with some of the best players in the world, then we've got every chance of maintaining that success and going beyond what we've already achieved."

Arsenal have spent £143.5 million on four summer signings, including the permanent arrival of defender Piero Hincapie. The club missed out on Vinicius Junior after the Brazilian renewed his contract with Real Madrid, though interest in Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez has been reported.

Garlick confirmed the door remains open for further business before the transfer window closes. "If the right opportunity presents itself, we'll certainly be exploring it," he said, adding that the bar has been raised significantly after winning the Premier League title and reaching the UEFA Champions League final. "We're probably fishing in a smaller pool of quality players, and that means that it's tricky to land those players that are going to drive Arsenal forward."

Arsenal begin the defence of their Premier League title against Coventry on Friday night.