Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed that Liverpool’s Premier League title victory deeply affected him ‘big time,’ admitting he only viewed a ‘small part’ of their championship festivities.
Arne Slot’s team clinched the league crown last weekend with four matches remaining, following a 5-1 triumph over Tottenham.
When questioned about the pain of missing out to Liverpool, Arteta responded: ‘Yeah, big time.
‘It was in my tummy [that it hurt], yeah. I understand that it’s a team that is being more consistent and it has a lot of ingredients that you need to win it, but it’s very painful, yeah.
‘I take the opportunity as well to congratulate Liverpool and what they’ve done, the management they’ve done, how consistent they’ve been. I think they fully deserve to win.
‘They were the better team, they had so many attributes, they had a consistent squad available. And we’re going to try again. But up to that moment next season, now we’re going to have to finish the season very strong.’
The Spanish coach further elaborated on the emotional difficulty of witnessing the Reds revel in their title achievement.
‘[I watched] a small part of it (Liverpool’s celebrations),’ he added.
‘It can be part of your motivation, that’s not the biggest part. My motivations are much more focused in other aspects than that one, but it hurts to watch it, that’s for sure.’
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli