Mikel Arteta issued a defiant message to the Arsenal fans after their final-day disappointment, urging them to “keep pushing” in the club’s bid for silverware.
Kai Havertz struck late to earn the Gunners a 2-1 win over Everton, after Takehiro Tomiyasu had cancelled out Idrissa Gueye’s deflected opener before the break, but it was not enough to end Arsenal’s 20-year wait for a Premier League title.
The Gunners went into the final day needing a favour from West Ham and it did not come, as Manchester City eased to a 3-1 win over David Moyes’ side to get their hands on the trophy for the fourth season in a row.
It meant Arsenal finished second in the table once again, this time only two points off the champions. A club-record 28 Premier League wins, and a run of 16 victories in 18 matches in 2024, was not enough for Arsenal to deny City.
Arteta addressed the Arsenal supporters on the pitch at the Emirates Stadium after the win over Everton, as he insisted they should not be “satisfied” with just pushing City close.
“All this happened because you started believing, you decided to be patient, you starting to understand what we were trying to do,” Arteta said.
“All the credit has to go to these players, the staff that is unbelievable.
“I think now it’s time to have a break. Think, reflect and please keep pushing. Keep inspiring this team. Don’t be satisfied because we want much more than that and we’re going to get it. Thank you so much.”
Arsenal took four points from their two matches with City this season, as they did against Liverpool, but two defeats against Aston Villa and a stumbling run against West Ham and Fulham around Christmas ultimately proved costly.
Martin Odegaard, one of the Gunners’ best and most consistent players throughout the season, also spoke to the fans on the pitch, as he reflected on the improvements made at the club since he arrived at the start of 2021.
“I think we’re all a little bit disappointed," the Arsenal captain said.
"We’ve been fighting so long for the big dream. We were so close. But at the same time I’m so proud of the boys, so proud of everyone at the club, the fans. I'm so proud of the progress we are making.
“When I first came here, all the way through until today, it’s such a big difference. We’ve changed the club, I think you all believe in us now.
