Mikel Arteta: ‘It’s a very good game for me, especially because I played there, and it is a really special place’

MIKEL Arteta is preparing to take his players to “a special place” on Saturday as Arsenal continue their preparations for the new season by tackling Scottish champions Rangers at Ibrox.

The Gunners’ pre-season kicked off in “disappointing” fashion on Tuesday evening when they were beaten 2-1 by Hibernian at Easter Road.

Excited Arsenal fans will feel they were entitled to expect more from a squad that involved plenty of the club’s big guns, including Pierre-Emerick Aubame­yang, Nicolas Pepe, Willian and Alexandre Lacazette.

But in the end a consolation goal from Emile Smith Rowe, who coolly side-footed home Hector Bellerin’s cross, was all they had to cheer about.

“Well I’m always disappointed when we lose a football match, but it is the first game,” reasoned Arteta after the final whistle in Edinburgh.

“We played with many kids and we only had four training sessions.

“We’ve trained really hard and you could see that the players were a little bit leggy.

“We created many, many chances but we didn’t score. That’s what pre-season is for: to take the things that we haven’t done well into a training session and then improve.”

Arteta spent two successful seasons at Rangers. And looking ahead to his return, the Arsenal boss added: “It’s a very good game for me, especially because I played there and it is a really special place. I’m looking forward to it.”

Meanwhile, Arteta shared his desire to keep Joe Willock at the club – despite growing interest from Newcastle United.

The midfielder scored seven goals in seven consecutive games during an impressive loan spell with the Magpies last season, making him a top target for their gaffer Steve Bruce. Speculation quickly arose about done deals when Willock was found missing from Arsenal’s friendly against Hibernian.

Arteta, however, has dismissed any talk of the 21-year-old being allowed to leave north London.

“Well he (Willock) wasn’t involved against Hibernian because he had a little groin issue.

“He trained on Monday really well but we didn’t want to risk him.

“Joe is part of our plans, he’s our player and in the time that he is here we will try to make the most out of him.

“He had a great experience on loan at Newcastle. He was, I think, one of the most important players for their survival.”

However, it remains to be seen whether or not Arteta actually sees Willock as part of his long-term plans, or is simply trying to ramp up Arsenal’s asking price in a bid to raise extra funds for a squad rebuild.