by Lewis Ambrose

Héctor Bellerín and Santi Cazorla have spoken about the fixtures for the 2015/16 season being released and are eager to start as they mean to go on.

Last season Arsenal were 12 points behind after just eight games and effectively out of any potential title race before the season had even got going.

Speaking ahead of the 2015/16 fixtures being released Bellerín said the team must start well next season to send out a message.

“We’re all really really excited,” said the right-back.

“I think it’s gonna be really important to start strong, to let people know we have the same way of playing as last year and can get same results.

“We didn’t do that well at the beginning of last season, but we showed by the end how we can perform.”

Bellerín wasn’t part of the team during the slow start to last season but played a huge role as Arsenal found form in 2015 – if we can carry that into the new campaign it’ll certainly send out a message.

“We want people to know that we will be aggressive and that we are coming to fight for the title.”

Forward

Bellerín’s compatriot Santi Cazorla is particularly looking forward to the big games.

“I always look for when I play against big teams for example Manchester United away, Liverpool at home,” said Cazorla.

“For me the most important thing is to play at the same level as the second half of the season.

“If we play the same we will have a chance.”

That much is beyond doubt, and it is encouraging that Arsenal’s opening five games brought 15 points in the corresponding fixtures during the 2014/15 season.

Our sixth game is away to Chelsea, and to head there with 15 points on the board would give us the platform and opportunity to really send a message to the Premier League.