EXCLUSIVE: Monreal hails Arteta's work at Arsenal, tells him to set sights on Champions League

[p]Last season Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years after finishing runners-up for three seasons on the bounce. Manager Mikel Arteta transformed the side who were mocked, teased and pointed at for finishing second and transformed them into thick-skinned champions, finishing seven points clear of Manchester City.[/p][p]The title also ended a six-year period without silverware as they lifted the trophy at Selhurst Park on the final day of the season following a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace. After the final whistle, there was a sense that this wasn't merely a fluke and that the Gunners would be a force to be reckoned with as long as Arteta is at the helm.[/p][h2]Arteta has changed Arsenal's mentality[/h2][p]Speaking exclusively to Tribal Football via [a href="https://betbrothers.es/"]BetBrothers[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/monreal-nacho/CdXPbmcp/"]Monreal[/a] heaped praise on his compatriot, whom he shared a dressing room with for three and a half years, revealing how he believes the club have shifted in the right direction.[/p][p][b]What makes [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/arteta-mikel/lAbHYaQM/"]Arteta[/a] such an effective leader? Why do players work so well under him?[/b][/p][p]"Mikel Arteta, he was a leader when he was a football player. And now as a manager, he continues being that same leader of men. Basically, because people respect him.[/p][p]"In my opinion and from what I’ve heard from teammates, the most important thing about Mikel Arteta is what he says is going to happen in the game, it happens.[/p][embed guid="d31631ab-3632-49fe-9b28-77b44195f4f6" url="https://x.com/afcstuff/status/2069852185546854894?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]"In my opinion, that makes the difference between a top manager and an average manager. The training is also really enjoyable. They are training with the ball all the time. He's a top leader."[/p][p][b]How has he changed the culture at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/arsenal/hA1Zm19f/"]Arsenal[/a]? How has he made them into winners?[/b][/p][p]"In my opinion, what Mikel has changed is the mentality. You see Arsenal and you see a winning team. I remember my last few years at the club, we were good, we competed, but in the end, we always missed out in the games that mattered.[/p][p]"But now, if you see Arsenal after six years, the team, the club has improved a lot. He has brought top players, but in my opinion, the mentality, how competitive they are, that is the difference. They always want to win and win and win.[/p][p]"That's the huge difference between Arsenal a few years ago and Arsenal today."[/p][h2]Winning Champions League the next step[/h2][p]Despite their success in the Premier League, Arsenal flopped in both the EFL Cup against Manchester City and the Champions League final when they clashed with French giants [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/psg/CjhkPw0k/"]Paris Saint-Germain[/a].[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/o-reilly-nico/xOrYaNWc/"]Nico O'Reilly[/a] scored twice in four second-half minutes to secure the win for City at Wembley Stadium. Meanwhile, Arsenal defender Gabriel infamously blasted his penalty over the bar during a penalty shootout, ending the club's chances of being crowned European champions for the first time.[/p][embed guid="da049908-a3ed-4589-92f6-63cc92d77245" url="https://x.com/footballontnt/status/2060799334006829512?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Monreal revealed that the next natural step for the North London side is to aim to win the Champions League, something that has proved impossible for the club in their 139-year history.[/p][p][b]How can Arteta build on his success? Can he become a legendary manager at Arsenal?[/b][/p][p]"Right now Arsenal are the best team in the Premier League. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/chelsea/4fGZN2oK/"]Chelsea[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-city/Wtn9Stg0/"]Manchester City[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/liverpool/lId4TMwf/"]Liverpool[/a], they have changed their manager. So nobody knows how it's going to be for them.[/p][p]"Arsenal are on a good run. Last season they won the Premier League, but the last three seasons before that, they finished second. They are very, very, very consistent.[/p][p]"They won the Premier League. That's what they wanted to win. But now once you get the Premier League, now your next step is the Champions League. They played the final, they lost it against PSG, but they are on the right path.[/p][p]"The next step is to go and do what they haven’t been able to do before, winning the Champions League."[/p][p]Heading into the new campaign, Arsenal will compete on all fronts. Defending their Premier League title will be imperative, but Arteta may listen to his former teammate, who knows that they must take the next step and win the Champions League if they want to be considered European royalty.[/p]