Mikel Arteta has insisted Arsenal have exceeded expectations this season despite seeing their hopes of a top-four Premier League finish crushed.
The Gunners appeared on track to clinch a Champions League return next season, however damaging defeats to bitter rivals Tottenham in last Thursday's North London derby and Newcastle on Monday night, a matter of weeks after three successive losses to Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton, have seen Arteta's side hand Spurs the advantage.
Arsenal now find themselves two points adrift of their North London foes heading into their final day clash with Everton, and have been left to pray already-relegated Norwich can pull off an unlikely upset over Tottenham to revive their European dream. However, despite their recent setback, Arteta claims the Gunners have surpassed expectations this season.
