Arsenal and Arteta start title defense from zero against Coventry

Twenty two years. That's how long Arsenal had to wait to lift the Premier League title again, and now that it's finally sitting in the trophy cabinet, Mikel Arteta is already focused on the next challenge: not letting go of it. The Spanish coach couldn't be clearer, and he repeats it like a mantra inside the locker room: it doesn't matter what was won last season, everything starts from zero.

The title defense begins this Friday, at home, against Coventry, and Arteta heads into the match enjoying a feeling he hadn't experienced in three years: looking down at the table from the top spot. After three straight seasons falling just short, watching the title slip past right in front of him, Arsenal finally snapped the drought and now sits as the favorite with British bookmakers to defend it.

And make no mistake, Arteta's voice doesn't waver when he explains why he prefers this spot to that of the eternal chaser.

Over the last three seasons, at some point we were first and at some point we were the chasers. And you never know which is better. But if I get to choose, I want to be first. I want to be the hunted, and I want to have control of our own future, rather than depending on someone else.Mikel Arteta

The message inside the group is direct: no easing up because of what's already been accomplished. Arteta insists that last season's hunger can't drop even slightly, because the rest of the league already knows how Arsenal plays and will come at them even harder trying to knock them down.

We start from zero, and we're going to have to prove we're at the level to get back to that position. We need to show that desire and that ambition to be better than we were last season, a month ago, a week ago.Mikel Arteta

Physical doubts before kickoff

Not everything is good news heading into the league opener. Bruno Guimaraes, this summer's signing from Newcastle, is a doubt to face Coventry after having to be substituted with a right thigh issue during the 3-0 thrashing of Manchester City in Sunday's Community Shield. The coaching staff will monitor his recovery over the coming days before deciding whether he starts or begins on the bench.

Arteta also used the press conference to shut down rumors circulating in the British press about a possible exit for Myles Lewis-Skelly, just 19 years old. When asked whether the young fullback will remain at the club beyond this transfer window, the manager's response left no room for doubt: "100%."

With the title in hand and their ambition intact, Arsenal step out against Coventry wearing the tag of favorite, but also carrying the extra burden that comes with every champion: everyone will be gunning to knock them off the throne, and Arteta knows that better than anyone.