Mikel Arteta wants to see a “change in energy” from the Arsenal players, as he gave an impressive first press conference after being appointed the club’s new manager.

The former Manchester City assistant coach has signed a three-and-a-half year contract at the Emirates to succeed Unai Emery, and speaking on Friday afternoon, Arteta vowed to drastically change the way the current squad approach the game.

“The first thing is to change the energy. I was down after the game on Sunday, when I felt what was going on,” Arteta said. “I have to engage everybody. The players have to start accepting a different way of thinking.”

He sent a warning to his squad and the responsibility they must accept to remain at the club. “I don’t want people hiding,” Arteta vowed. “I want people taking responsibility for the job. Anybody that doesn’t buy into this is not good enough for this environment or culture.”

The new Arsenal head coach maintains Mesut Ozil was still “a massive player for this football club”. And he said of his squad: “I want to understand how they are feeling and what they need. Then I can take the excuses out of them and focus on the things which are relevant on and off the pitch. It is my job to get the best out of him.”

Mikel Arteta joins Arsenal Show all 8 1 /8 Mikel Arteta joins Arsenal Mikel Arteta joins Arsenal Mikel Arteta joins Arsenal Arsenal have announced the appointment of former Manchester City assistant Mikel Arteta as their new head coach. Arsenal FC via Getty Images Mikel Arteta joins Arsenal Mikel Arteta joins Arsenal The 37-year-old Spaniard, a former Gunners captain, has agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract to succeed Unai Emery, who was sacked last month. Arsenal FC via Getty Images Mikel Arteta joins Arsenal Mikel Arteta joins Arsenal Arteta played more than 100 times for Arsenal - his final club before retiring. He joined City's coaching staff in 2016 and will now embark on his first managerial post at his old club. Arsenal FC via Getty Images Mikel Arteta joins Arsenal Mikel Arteta joins Arsenal Sunday's 3-0 defeat to City increased the need for the Gunners to end the uncertainty over the manager's position, leaving the club as close to the relegation zone as they are to the top four. Arsenal FC via Getty Images Mikel Arteta joins Arsenal Mikel Arteta joins Arsenal Interim head coach Freddie Ljungberg replaced Emery but has won just one of his four Premier League games at the helm, while the club are on a run of only one win from their last 12 fixtures. Arsenal FC via Getty Images Mikel Arteta joins Arsenal Mikel Arteta joins Arsenal When Arteta's old side City beat Arsenal at the weekend, the former Everton midfielder was in the dugout alongside Guardiola. Arsenal FC via Getty Images Mikel Arteta joins Arsenal Mikel Arteta joins Arsenal Talks started afterwards with Arsenal managing director Vinai Venkatesham pictured outside Arteta's house in the early hours of Monday morning. AP Mikel Arteta joins Arsenal Mikel Arteta joins Arsenal Head of football Raul Sanllehi said the club had interviewed other names before opting to pursue Arteta. Arsenal FC via Getty Images

This will be Arteta’s first role as head coach and the 37-year-old accepted his inexperience could be a problem for some fans, but insisted he was not daunted by the challenge. “I will give every drop of blood for this football club to make it better.”