Arteta upbeat despite exits

Arsenal vice-captain Mikel Arteta insists the Gunners are in good shape, despite the loss of star striker Robin van Persie and midfield enforcer Alex Song.

The Spaniard believes the summer additions of Olivier Giroud, Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla, who particularly impressed in midfield on his debut in the goalless draw with Sunderland on Saturday, mean the Gunners are already well stocked for the battles ahead.

"We are looking good. We looked really organised on Saturday, just maybe in the final third we didn't take the chances we should have done," Arteta said, quoted on the club's official website, www.arsenal.com.

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