Arsenal comes first, says Arteta

Mikel Arteta has been an influential figure in the Arsenal midfield this season, but insists he has no desire to be the Gunners' 'main man'.

The 29-year-old Spaniard admits he has had to curb his attacking instincts at time this campaign, but says he has no problem taking on added defensive responsibilities for the good of the team.

"I watch the game from behind [the attackers] and I know that when we become too open we leave many spaces and concede goals," Arteta told Arsenal Player. "I just try to balance the team a little bit.

"Sometimes I would like to go forward more, but I've still had chances and the goal [against Blackburn] was my sixth this year, which isn't bad."

Whilst Arteta likes to get forward, he reveals how he is more than happy to leave the goalscoring exploits to Arsenal skipper Robin van Persie.

"I don't want to be the main man; we all know who the main man is and that's Robin. He is the leader, he is the one who makes a real difference.

"The most important thing is the team, and once the team is doing well the highlights will come for the rest [of the players] because we are playing well.

"Everyone is part of a machine and we are all just trying to make the machine work as well as we can."