Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal to start brightly

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta believes that it is important for the Gunners to get off to a winning start in the Premier League.

The North London club, who finished third last season, have acquired new trio Olivier Giroud, Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla for the new campaign, which begins with a clash against Sunderland this weekend.

"We have to start better than last season, that's for sure," Arteta told the club's official website. "We also have to try to keep players fit for longer than we did last season and not concede as many goals.

"This is all possible and from day one we have to think that we are as good as the other teams. I don't see other teams as better than us, I know my teammates well. If everybody is fit, comfortable and ready for a fight then I think we can handle it."

The Gunners will have to compete this season without striker Robin van Persie after the Dutchman agreed a reported £24m move to Manchester United.