The Arsenal is on track for a third consecutive disappointing finish in the Premier League. Mikel Arteta’s team trails the champion Liverpool, just as they did behind Manchester City in the previous two seasons. Despite this, Arteta acknowledges Liverpool’s superiority and promises a guard of honor for their opponents this Sunday. The Spanish manager praised Arne Slot’s team, saying they were the best and most consistent side. “They deserve it,” Arteta said. “They were the best team, the most consistent. What Arne Slot and his staff did is fascinating. It was really good.”
A Lesson in Sportsmanship
Arteta’s comments reflect a sense of fair play and respect for the opposition. “This is sports,” he said. “If someone is better, you have to accept it, applaud, and try to reach that level. When you come close to winning big trophies and can’t, you have to move on to the next competition at the highest level.” Arteta believes the Arsenal made progress in Europe, reaching the Champions League semifinals before being eliminated by PSG. However, they took a step back in the Premier League, failing to match last season’s points total.
The Arsenal’s points tally is expected to be around 76, down from over 80 in the previous two seasons. Arteta attributes this to a decline in performance. “In the Champions League, we improved, but we still didn’t achieve what we wanted because we wanted to win,” he said. “And in the league, we took steps back. The points we accumulated show we weren’t as good as last season.”