Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta demands players ‘change their thinking’ in impressive first press conference

Mikel Arteta spoke to the media for the first time since signing a three-and-a-half year contract at the Emirates

Mikel Arteta wants to see a “change in energy” from the Arsenal players, as he gave an impressive first press conference after being appointed the club’s new manager.

The former Manchester City assistant coach has signed a three-and-a-half year contract at the Emirates to succeed Unai Emery, and speaking on Friday afternoon, Arteta vowed to drastically change the way the current squad approach the game.

“The first thing is to change the energy. I was down after the game on Sunday, when I felt what was going on,” Arteta said. “I have to engage everybody. The players have to start accepting a different way of thinking.”

He sent a warning to his squad and the responsibility they must accept to remain at the club. “I don’t want people hiding,” Arteta vowed. “I want people taking responsibility for the job. Anybody that doesn’t buy into this is not good enough for this environment or culture.”

The new Arsenal head coach maintains Mesut Ozil was still “a massive player for this football club”. And he said of his squad: “I want to understand how they are feeling and what they need. Then I can take the excuses out of them and focus on the things which are relevant on and off the pitch. It is my job to get the best out of him.”

This will be Arteta’s first role as head coach and the 37-year-old accepted his inexperience could be a problem for some fans, but insisted he was not daunted by the challenge. “I will give every drop of blood for this football club to make it better.”

During the press conference, caretaker Freddie Ljungberg tweeted that he was looking forward to working with the new manager, but Arteta said there had not yet been a decision for what role Ljungberg would take up. His backroom staff is likely to be finalised in the coming days.