Mikel Arteta stood before the Emirates Stadium crowd on an emotional Sunday evening, visibly moved yet characteristically composed. His Arsenal side had just defeated Newcastle United 1-0 in their final home game of the season—a victory that confirmed the Gunners’ return to the Champions League. But rather than bask in that achievement, Arteta’s words carried the weight of a man driven by unfinished business.
“We are unsatisfied and upset,” the Spaniard declared, acknowledging the disappointment of another trophyless campaign. “Liverpool have a trophy – we don’t. I will give my life to win one for this club.”
This season, Arsenal were again in contention on multiple fronts but ultimately fell short. They were beaten to the Premier League title by Liverpool, knocked out of the Champions League and Carabao Cup in the semi-finals, and exited the FA Cup in the third round. The last major honour remains the FA Cup won under Arteta in 2020, and the wait for silverware has now stretched to five years.
Yet, despite the absence of trophies, there is little doubt that Arsenal have grown. The Gunners are set to finish second in the Premier League for a third consecutive season, and have reestablished themselves as a serious force in English and European football. Arteta insists the trajectory is upward—and sustainable.
In his post-match press conference, he reiterated that Arsenal’s consistency and resilience shouldn’t be taken for granted. “We had a dream—bringing a big trophy back home. We couldn’t do it, and there are many reasons for that,” he said. “But we must not let that blur our vision. There are incredible things happening at this club.”
Speaking with a blend of pride and hunger, Arteta reflected on the challenges of the campaign: “There are a lot of situations we’ve dealt with for nine and a half months. Other teams in similar situations have collapsed. We didn’t. That’s the foundation we’ve built—something sustainable and consistent.”
He also made it clear that Arsenal’s ambitions are far from satisfied. With Champions League qualification secured and the team finishing strongly, the attention now shifts to summer planning—where smart recruitment, squad depth, and injury prevention will be critical.
“The plan for the summer is already done,” Arteta revealed. “We’re losing four or five players due to contracts and loan expiries, so we need to be sharp and disciplined with our decisions.”
While the timing of new arrivals will depend on various circumstances beyond the club’s control, Arteta expressed confidence in the people leading that process: “We have great people in charge, and the board and ownership are aligned. We also need to ensure our current players feel valued and excited to stay and compete.”
Arsenal’s injury troubles throughout the season were also highlighted, although Arteta was quick to clarify that such problems were not exclusive to this campaign. He alluded to historic patterns where Arsenal faltered even with relatively few injuries—something he believes the current group has risen above.
Still, when asked if he could promise trophies next season, Arteta didn’t sugarcoat the reality. “I can’t promise we’ll win the Premier League or the Champions League. But I can promise that I will do my very best. I will give my life here. We will squeeze every drop from everyone at this club to chase those titles.”
Arteta’s commitment extends beyond the tactical and technical. His bond with supporters was evident as he addressed them directly on the pitch, moments after full-time. Some fans had already left the stadium, but those who stayed were treated to a heartfelt message from a manager who clearly feels the weight of their hopes.
“We had a dream to bring big trophies to you this season, and we couldn’t do it,” he said. “But we must keep chasing that dream with positivity and enthusiasm. These players have the talent. We have to start creating our own history here.”
When asked by the media if he felt the backing of supporters, Arteta was cautiously optimistic. “That’s what I feel. The fans I meet in the street, those who contact me—they’re behind us. But they want more. And they have every right to.”
The emotional temperature of the evening was further heightened by the likely farewell of several players. Arteta confirmed that for some, the Newcastle match may have been their last at the Emirates in red and white.
“We had a few in the dressing room who might have played their last game here,” he said, alluding to veterans like Jorginho and Kieran Tierney. “I’ve been in that position. I made sure to thank them personally. I’m very grateful for what they’ve given.”
Tierney’s return from a long injury layoff was particularly poignant, as was Kai Havertz’s quick recovery to feature against Newcastle. “Kai has been pushing himself hard to be available. The doctors weren’t sure, but he wanted to help the team,” Arteta shared. Injuries also forced a first-half substitution as Calafiori replaced William Saliba, who felt discomfort in his hamstring—a concerning development ahead of the final game at Southampton.
Looking ahead, Arteta made it clear that Arsenal’s mission extends beyond results. He spoke about culture, values, and identity—elements he believes are now deeply rooted at the club. “We want to give our fans joy. We want them to be proud of how we play, how we behave, how we represent this football club.”
The evening also brought memories of a special fan event at Union Chapel, which Arteta attended. “It was a beautiful night. I could feel the belief from the fans, and we don’t take that for granted. We want to sustain it and build on it.”
With one game left to play, Arsenal are poised to wrap up another second-place finish. If they avoid defeat at already-relegated Southampton, it will mark their best three-year league run in nearly two decades.
Arteta’s message was clear: Arsenal are not where they want to be—but they are closer than they’ve been in years. The journey is ongoing, and while silverware remains the ultimate goal, the steps taken thus far are laying a powerful foundation.
“It won’t be easy,” he said. “But we are on the right trajectory. And I believe—if we chase it together—we will get there.”
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