Mikel Arteta of Arsenal acknowledges it was’very tough’ to lose the title to Manchester City, but he is ready for the new season.
Mikel Arteta of Arsenal acknowledges it was’very tough’ to lose the title to Manchester City.
Arsenal will approach the upcoming season with more scrutiny on them than in previous years due to their accomplishments in 2022-23.
They began the season expecting to compete for Champions League qualification, but they were the only contenders to Manchester City in the Premier League title battle. Mikel Arteta’s side led for the majority of the season, but faltered towards the finish and missed out on the title by five points.
The 41-year-old appears revitalized ahead of the 2023-24 season, but this is not without contemplation.
“The first few weeks were very difficult because I went through it,” Arteta said of his emotional recovery from last season. “The first step is to look in the mirror and ask yourself, ‘OK, is there something you should have done better, differently?'” And if that’s the case, take note.
“And then judge yourself: are you still the right person to drive the club, the team, forward in the way that you want, and do you have the energy and belief to do it?” I guess it took a lot of thought, but the answer is ‘yes,’ and I feel full of energy and optimism. But I don’t enjoy losing, and it takes me a long time, so
Arsenal had already lost the title when Manchester City won it on May 21. Arsenal’s defeat against Nottingham Forest on May 20 formally handed them the title, but situations had gone against them in the weeks preceding to allow Pep Guardiola’s side a window of opportunity.
Arteta cited these situations as the reason for Arsenal’s decline in the title chase, and he did so again ahead of the Community Shield meeting with City this Sunday.
“Momentum (was the key difference),” he continued. “In key moments, when it should have gone one way — and in many situations this season, it did — it didn’t.”
“It was one, two, three (draws against Liverpool, West Ham, and Southampton), and then we fell off the wagon.” They gained traction. That shifted dramatically. Then you’re talking about a squad that has the ability to win 25 games in a row, so momentum and belief are the last things they need (to be given). That’s what we provided them.”
When asked how he got through those ‘difficult’ few weeks, he claimed both internal and external forces helped him prepare for the upcoming campaign.
“I probably pretended to my wife that I stopped thinking about it. But she will say something very different,” he added.
“You need to get over it. Being away helps quite a lot. It’s the feeling when you have created that belief and believe you can do it and then it suddenly goes away. But it’s part of it, and we all need that to be better, that moment when you feel ‘I failed’ or I didn’t achieve what I wanted. You still have the hunger and desire to go again. That’s a big motivation.
“It (the job) is always there, and you get messages every day.” We have a lot of people in the club, and there are always things going on that you must be aware of. You are aware that the period is critical. But I also got some much-needed rest.
“However, when you get particularly good news, it’s a good way to lower the temperature because you’re more confident and believe you’re on the right track.” And we had a lot of wonderful news this summer.”
Arsenal secured three summer signings before departing on their pre-season tour of the United States.
Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, and top target Declan Rice have all started to settle nicely. The Community Shield will give Arteta another chance to examine how they fit into his side before they begin their Premier League season against Nottingham Forest next weekend.
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