Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says it nonetheless “hurts deeply” to have missed out on the Premier League title, however he’s proud of the progress he has made after taking up a membership that had misplaced its “soul”.
The Gunners led the Premier League title race for 248 days final season earlier than they had been ultimately chased down by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Metropolis, who went on to win the treble, leaving the Gunners trophyless for a 3rd straight season.
Arteta admits it nonetheless pains him that his aspect fell quick however feels there have been loads of positives to take from final time period, and from his tenure general.
Mikel Arteta: “En muchos momentos, sí me vi ganador de la Premier” @Juan_Castro_10 consigue la entrevista más buscada de toda la Premier League https://t.co/g0QnkzYvrz
— MARCA (@marca) June 25, 2023
In an interview with Marca, the 41-year-old Spaniard mentioned: “To at the present time, it nonetheless hurts me deeply, not having gained the Premier (League) after spending 10 months combating with Metropolis.
“However that’s the game. That mentioned, what has been achieved with such a younger crew is worth it. That’s clear to me too.”
The Spaniard, who took over on the Emirates Stadium in December 2019, continued: “This began (over) three years in the past. I used to be Pep’s assistant at Metropolis, we performed in opposition to Arsenal and I noticed that the soul of the membership had been misplaced.
“It was not loved, it was not felt. I knew that there was the choice, shortly after, of being on the opposite bench and I knew that this membership is so massive that you simply needed to join the crew with the followers. It has been exhausting to do, and now I really feel pleased.
“We have now a transparent identification, there may be union and we’re stuffed with power. That’s the most important factor. From prime to backside, all of them push in the identical path.”
Arteta responded to a query about studies linking him with a transfer to Paris St Germain, the place he spent an 18-month mortgage spell throughout his taking part in profession, by insisting he was “pleased” and “grateful” to be with the north London membership.
“I can solely say that I’m pleased at Arsenal,” he mentioned. “I really feel cherished, valued by our house owners, Stan and Josh (Kroenke), and I’ve rather a lot to do right here at this membership. I’m pleased and tremendously grateful to be at Arsenal.”
The Gunners kick off their 2023-24 marketing campaign in opposition to Nottingham Forest on August 12.