The signing of Petr Cech is giving Arsenal's squad confidence they can challenge for the Premier League title next season, says Mikel Arteta.
Cech, 33, moved from champions Chelsea to the Gunners this summer after losing his No. 1 role at Stamford Bridge to Belgium international Thibaut Courtois.
The veteran goalkeeper won four Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy among other silverware in West London, and club captain Arteta believes Cech's desire and experience will have a positive impact on Arsene Wenger's squad.
The Spanish midfielder thinks Cech's transfer was a "very serious" statement by the club, saying: "His ambition is still there even though he has won everything in England and in Europe. Those type of signings give a lift to the whole team.
"He's not just a good goalkeeper. He has experience and ambition. The decision he made to come here after being a legend at Chelsea was not easy.
"I don't think many of them would do it at his age. He is still hungry and he wants to prove himself at the top again and it's a really good decision for us. He could have gone to another league and said: 'My name is here forever in the Premier League with Chelsea.'"
Cech received abuse and death threats via social media when he decided to swap Chelsea for city rivals Arsenal in June, but Arteta says the goalkeeper has the right temperament to handle the pressure.
"And you know that there will be some criticism coming [to him]," he told reporters. "He just wants to take this chance and say: 'I've got another chapter with a massive club and I want to make Arsenal champions.'
"When you get to know him I have no doubt he will handle that criticism. He is very cool, he's been training very well and he's not here just to sit on his back. He wants to compete, he wants to keep winning and he's a good lad."
Arteta, who recently signed a one-year contract extension at the Emirates Stadium, says that Arsenal are on the right track to challenge for more silverware next season after a shift in transfer activity.
"This is a process that started three or four years ago," he added. "Suddenly the club's perspective and potential changed.
"Instead of selling the best players, they decided to keep the players and keep adding the quality every year. Once we do that we start to show more consistency, start to win trophies, confidence, atmosphere, everything gets better."