Arsenal's Title-Chasing Dreams Require Focus, Says Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta emphasizes the need for Arsenal to stay focused and deliver success after securing a second-place finish in the Premier League. Read more about the team's progress and challenges ahead.

 

Mikel Arteta emphasized the need for clarity and focus, stating that Arsenal's title-chasing dreams cannot become ”blurry” after securing a second-place finish in the Premier League.

The 1-0 win over Newcastle United, thanks to Declan Rice's impressive goal in the 55th minute, marked Arsenal's second victory in their last seven league games. Despite the narrow margin, the win secured Arsenal's spot in the top two, eliminating the risk of a potential top-five finish miss. Following the match, Arsenal players showed appreciation for their fans with a lap of honor around the stadium.

💬 "It's an incredible connection that we have built."

Mikel on the fantastic support throughout the season 👇

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 18, 2025

Unless Arsenal suffers an unexpected defeat to Southampton and Manchester City has a remarkable goal-scoring spree in their final two matches, Arsenal is set to finish second in the league for the third consecutive season.

In the previous two seasons, Arsenal had pushed Manchester City closely, particularly last year when the title was decided on the final day. However, this season's chase for Liverpool faded early, and Arsenal's maximum points are likely to be 74, compared to the 84 and 89 points they earned in the previous title chases.

A hard-fought victory at our home ⚔️

Enjoy all the key highlights from our 1-0 win over Newcastle 🍿 pic.twitter.com/qCceAynq8o

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 18, 2025

The loss to Newcastle in the League Cup semi-finals was a setback, but it paled in comparison to the disappointment of being eliminated by Paris St Germain in the Champions League semi-finals.

After the final whistle, Mikel Arteta, visibly emotional and drained, addressed the fans on the pitch. However, not all fans remained to hear his words, as some had already begun celebrating Arsenal's second-place finish.

“We had a dream, it was to be here or in a week's time and bring the big trophies to you guys and we couldn't do it for many circumstances,” said Arteta, who has managed only one FA Cup triumph since taking charge in 2019.

“We need to make sure that chasing a dream doesn't get blurry and make sure we chase the dream with positivity and enthusiasm for next season.”

Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal has made notable progress, solidifying their position in the Champions League with a third successive campaign starting in September. However, with other teams like Newcastle ending their trophy drought, Crystal Palace winning the FA Cup, and Tottenham Hotspur or Manchester United contesting the Europa League final, the pressure is on Arteta to deliver tangible success.

"There’s much more to come, we have to do it all together, but this group of players - I’m telling you - they have the hunger, they have the quality, they have the talent and we are going to make it happen.” pic.twitter.com/FAyyppvuCQ

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 18, 2025

The expectation for Arteta to bring home silverware is clear, and the club's ambitions will likely be measured against the achievements of their rivals.

“We have to start creating our own history here in this stadium and we started this season,” he said. “There is much more to come and it won't be easy.

“These players have the talent. We need to rest and finish at Southampton and then go on holiday.”

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the team's need to take the next step in their development, particularly in terms of delivering trophies and achieving greater success.