Mikel Arteta was filled with bluff and bluster following Arsenal’s Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain, however using a little bit self-analysis and humility could also be a greater strategy after one other failure.
It might go some method to not simply fixing the evident drawback together with his workforce, but additionally to construct some bridges with a fanbase whose frustration with coming second is rising with every close to miss.
Arteta’s post-match declare that Arsenal have been “100 per cent” higher than Paris Saint-Germain was misguided and his boast that the Gunners have been “100 per cent” the most effective workforce within the competitors equally weird.
“I don’t agree in any respect.” 🗣
Mikel Arteta and Luis Enrique had differing opinions on who was the higher workforce over the tie… pic.twitter.com/8pNVLUXKS9
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 8, 2025
PSG boss Luis Enrique disagreed, as did former Arsenal chief Arsene Wenger, who was working as a pundit for beIN sport.
Striker concern ought to have been solved in January
The underside line is with higher recruitment, wherein Arteta performs a vital function, Arsenal might effectively have gotten previous PSG and landed their first Champions League crown.
Gabriel Jesus broken his anterior cruciate ligament halfway via the January switch window. And but Arsenal selected to plough on with Kai Havertz as their sole striker, and even then the Germany worldwide is extra comfy in a deep-lying function than as an out-and-out quantity 9.
Considerably predictably, Havertz then sustained a critical hamstring harm that dominated him out for the majority of the season.
On the time, Arsenal have been Liverpool’s closest challengers within the Premier League and nonetheless going effectively in Europe.
Liverpool subsequently clinched the title at a stroll, Arsenal are out of the Champions League and again within the combat to complete within the top-five.
If there was one mitigating consider Arsenal’s lack of January exercise – bar a late bid for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins that was by no means prone to succeed – it was the very fact they have been working with out a full-time sporting director.
Edu left in November and Andrea Berta didn’t arrive in March. However within the trendy age of quite a few executives, massive recruitment groups and world scouting operations, does that excuse actually wash?
Arteta claims began even earlier than PSG return
Final evening’s claims from Arteta continued a theme of latest days.
Even within the build-up to the sport on the Parc des Princes, the Spaniard was claiming victory from failure, stating his workforce have been unfortunate to not win the Premier League within the final two seasons.
“Successful trophies is about being in the fitting second in the fitting place. Liverpool have received the title with much less factors than we bought within the final two seasons. With the factors of the previous two seasons we’ve got two Premier League [titles],” he mentioned, albeit half tongue in cheek.
To an extent he’s proper, after all, the details again that up.
And Arsenal have made large strides below his management. When he arrived on the Emirates in December 2019, the Gunners have been tenth within the Premier League and going nowhere rapidly.
However for all of the progress, and the very fact they’re now difficult for the sport’s largest prizes, the underside line is the only trophy received below Arteta’s stewardship was the 2020 FA Cup.
Issues should change earlier than 2025-26
It’s a giant summer time for each membership and head coach.
Arsenal must signal a quantity 9 that may flip them from almost males to title winners. Be it Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko or Victor Osimhen, an out-and-out objective grabber is a should.
Arteta is nearly in credit score with the majority of the Arsenal followers however one other failure within the window and that goodwill would swiftly dry up.
Within the meantime, the Arsenal boss must stop with the fanciful claims and admit errors have been made.
Solely then will his aspect progress.
