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Mikel Arteta convinced Arsenal will start the new Premier League campaign better than last season

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes the build-up to the 2022/23 season is a far cry from the Gunners' miserable start to the last campaign.

Gunners fans won't need reminding that a defeat to newly-promoted Brentford on the opening day of the 2021/22 season was the start of three straight losses, and calls for Arteta's head soon became commonplace.

But Arteta has a totally different mindset to the new season, which kicks-off against Crystal Palace on Friday night, especially as the Gunners moved quickly in the transfer window to bring in Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira and Marquinhos.

Arteta said: "It is different. Everything that happened before that game (against Brentford) was pretty strange and unique. The preparation, the pre-season that we had, different contexts.

"We are really excited, looking forward to the new season and will try to start in the best way and this is how we do our preparation."

Arteta has also backed the contagious mentality of Jesus to help Arsenal have a successful season.

The striker is expected to make his debut on Friday night after moving from champions Manchester City.
The Brazilian has already scored seven goals in pre-season to whet the appetite of Gunners fans, and their manager.
"When you bring top players from top clubs and they've been extremely successful over the years, there is expectation," said Arteta.
"The role that Gabi has here is going to be very different to the role that Gabi had in his previous club.
"That needs some adaptation and time and we are all surprised with how quickly he's done it, but we have to share that responsibility.
"He's a tremendous talent with a mentality that is so contagious and he's going to give us a lot, but it's a team at the end of the day.
"We are all enthusiastic. We had the pre-season we wanted, it was well organised, we had good results, good preparation and good performances.
"But now the ball starts to roll tomorrow evening in a completely different context and against a Premier League team and we know what to expect there.
"It's true we have a high level of energy and ambition to have a successful season and we have to show that on the pitch tomorrow night."
Zinchenko and Marquinhos could also make their Arsenal debuts at Selhurst Park. But fellow summer signing Fabio Vieira did not play at all in pre-season and will be lacking match fitness.
Midfielder Emile Smith Rowe also looks set to miss out with a groin problem.

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