As Pep Guardiola headed into his final game of the Premier League campaign, he was keen to reiterate the message he had received. Sky Sports News.
It wasn't a text or any other kind of digital communication, but it conveyed Arsenal's intentions very loudly to Manchester City.
“If we are not ready to compete with them again, they will take our place,” Guardiola said. “I know the team, I know the institution of Arsenal, I know Mikel. He is a huge competitor, so it will happen.”
“Arsenal have given us a message and we have accepted it. There are very few certainties in my life. I wake up in the morning and go to bed at night. The only certainty is that with the age of Arsenal, the manager and the way they have played over the last two seasons, they will be here for a long time.”
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At the end of last season, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he had no doubt that Arsenal would be a real challenge for his side, not just this season but for many years to come.
In Los Angeles, Arsenal are awaiting the arrival of £42m new recruit Riccardo Calafiori, a coveted player and a proven coup d'etat. It is clear why their methodology there has convinced Guardiola to sign a player who will become a champion.
Arteta's side conceded fewer goals than any other Premier League team last season and their defence was top-notch, but he still pointed out the team's weaknesses.
The left rearguard was inconsistent, with four different players starting. The excellent Jurriën Timber was sidelined with an ACL injury in the first game, Oleksandr Zinchenko was often exposed defensively, and Jakub Kiwior didn't provide as much support to the attacking play as needed.
Calafiori ranks favourably among Arsenal's current left-back options – Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jacob Kiwior
Quality and availability were issues there and Arsenal have strengthened an already solid area with Calafiori. Calafiori is Italy's goldmine at the Euros and was key to Bologna's brilliance last season.
Real Madrid made a late push for the 22-year-old, but by that point sporting director Edu had already done the deal. In fact, most of the legwork had been done months earlier, and the only reason Calafiori’s transfer wasn’t completed before the Euros was to respect the player’s wishes to focus solely on the tournament.
He was outstanding in every game, and there were jokes within Arsenal that his price tag would soar. The hard yards they put in were ultimately a steal for Calafiori – given his age, high ceiling, versatility and ability to enhance attacking play.
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Sky Sports News chief reporter Melissa Reddy discusses the latest Arsenal transfer news, with a deal in the final stages to sign Riccardo Calafiori.
Arsenal can now balance both sides. The overwhelming atmosphere in LA at the club's palatial Four Seasons base in Westlake Village was one of certainty. They believe they will go again, they will go harder, they will go better.
Edu and Arteta know they have to be more patient and considerate in the market given that the pool of players who could take Arsenal to the next level is much smaller than it was at the start of the process or last summer. Their standards, expectations and quality are in a different realm.
A guaranteed goalscorer with 30+ goals would be a welcome addition, but that profile pile is the least popular, most expensive and often not really marketable, which is why so much effort has gone into building a squad that is versatile and diverse, like Kai Havertz.
This will continue, especially as significant transfers are expected, with Emile Smith Rowe on the verge of joining Fulham in what would be a club record outlay.
Smith Rowe joins Arsenal in pre-season preparations
Rhys Nelson and Eddie Nketiah want more game time and will be allowed to leave if a good offer materialises. There have been enquiries but no serious offers have been made for either player.
Arsenal are in a great position with a clear vision, excellent relationships between the manager and sporting director, effective and sustainable processes and a solid squad.
Edu likes to ask himself, 'What is success?' The above can be considered success, now it just needs to be supplemented with more silverware.
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Mikel Arteta has revealed how many points Arsenal need to beat Manchester City to claim next season's Premier League title.
They are focused on the overall marginal gains, and in some cases like Timber, there will be immediate upside. He has been his progressive best so far in the preseason. Hopefully, there will be no signs of side effects from the ACL tear, as he did last summer in the States.
Calafio's introduction raises questions about where Timber will play. Like many on the squad, he can play multiple roles.
Arsenal continue to create something special with messages being sent and received.
Arsenal pre-season schedule: Next up are Man Utd and Liverpool
July 20th: Arsenal 2-0 Leyton Orient
July 25th: Arsenal 1-1 Bournemouth
July 28th: Arsenal vs Man Utd – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, 1am kickoff
August 1st: Arsenal vs Liverpool – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Kick-off 12:30am
August 7th: Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen, Emirates Stadium, 6pm kick-off
August 11th: Arsenal vs Lyon, Emirates Stadium, 2pm kick-off
