Arteta admits what is truly bothering him about Arsenal's season

Mikel Arteta faced the media on Friday still nursing the pain of Arsenal’s Champions League exit, but with his attention firmly turned to finishing the season strongly – starting with a statement performance against newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool.

“This was one of the saddest but also one of the proudest moments I’ve had as Arsenal manager,” Arteta said, reflecting on Wednesday’s narrow semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. “When you look them in the eye, play the way we did, and it’s still not enough… you have to accept that. That’s football.”

The Spaniard was defiant in defending his side’s European campaign. “100%. I stand by it,” he said, when asked if he still believed Arsenal had been the best team in the Champions League this season. “We have the best stats, the best goal difference in the semi-finals. It’s crystal clear who was better.”

But he was quick to acknowledge that football is not decided on numbers alone. “It’s not about the winning probability. It’s about making it happen.”

The defeat means Arsenal will end the season trophyless again, a reality Arteta does not shy away from. “Not winning trophies bothers me a lot,” he said. “I love winning and absolutely hate losing.”

With three games remaining, Arteta wants his side to finish the campaign with pride and focus. “Make sure that we make ourselves proud to compete at the end in the manner that we deserve,” he urged. “You cannot win the Premier League, that’s clear. But we can still show who we are.”

Sunday’s clash at Anfield brings a symbolic challenge, as Arsenal prepare to form a guard of honour for Liverpool. Arteta sees it as both respect and motivation. “They’ve been the best team, the most consistent. They fully deserve it,” he said. “But pain is a good one to use sometimes. Let it drive you.”

On summer recruitment, Arteta admitted planning is already underway, but was cautious not to shift focus entirely. “If we’re having those meetings now, we are very late,” he said. “But it’s about this season. It’s not finished.”

The message to his players is clear: absorb the pain, channel the disappointment, and finish with purpose. “You need to go through that to become stronger,” he said. “That’s the sport. You fall short, you learn, and you go again.”

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