Mikel Arteta insists his principal focus is improving how his Arsenal players perform week in, week out - rather than pursuing a fearsome reputation.
The Gunners underlined their Premier League title credentials by coming from behind to defeat West Ham 3-1 on Boxing Day. Arsenal went into half-time trailing to Said Benrahma's penalty but goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah extended their lead at the top of the table to seven points ahead of Manchester City's trip to Leeds on Wednesday.
It was a second-half comeback that led club legend Thierry Henry to declare teams are "afraid" to face the north Londoners. Arteta agrees that "fear factor" can be a "bonus" but insists he can only dictate his side's mentality and not that of their opponents.
