Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes the Gunners have overachieved this season. He credited his young side for their exploits but believes there's still a big gap between where they are and where they want to be.
The Gunners have lost their last two Premier League games, losing 3-0 against rivals Tottenham Hotspur and 2-0 against Newcastle United, to cede advantange to Spurs in the top-four race. They trail Spurs by two points going into the final day,
Tottenham face Norwich City in their last match (May 22), while the Gunners face struggling Everton on the same day. A draw will be enough for Spurs to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League unless the Gunners overturn a +15 goal difference.
However, Arteta believes they can still look at this season in a positive light. He said on BBC Sport (via 90min):
"In a few weeks' time, when we are on holidays, and we look back at what we've done - whether we're in the Champions League or the Europa League - I think everybody would agree that we did more than was expected, for sure."
He also praised his team, the youngest starting XI in the Premier League this season. The Spaniard said:
"They have shown they have what it takes because what they have done; in the last ten seasons nobody has done it. It's something they have done, and that's credit to the team for what they have delivered. The thing is, where we want to be is not where we are today. We want to be the best, but that gap is still really big. A club with that age bracket in the starting XI on the pitch, it hasn't been done in this league."
"We've come a long way" - Mikel Arteta on Arsenal's 2021-22 season
Arteta added that the Gunners are on the right path and have already shown great progress. He said:
"We've come a long way with a lot of things, especially in who we are as a club and the connection between what we're doing and how people feel about it. That's really important as well, and it takes a long time to build that trust."
Arsenal finished eighth in the last two Premier League seasons. They also started this season with three consecutive losses.
So finishing fifth would be a great sign of progress for the Gunners even though they looked good to finish fourth only two gameweeks ago.
Drypenganmaster-237_
0
u assna fans get triggered so easily. anyways We've got another Abramovich, u will stay under our shadow from now to eternity!
Okay Sir!
Memnon
0
Typical assss n a fan 🤣
u assna fans get triggered so easily. anyways We've got another Abramovich, u will stay under our shadow from now to eternity!
Memnon
0
Typical Chesey fan
Typical assss n a fan 🤣
Drypenganmaster-237_
0
Typical Assna fan
Typical Chesey fan
Memnon
0
Dude its not funny. Ur allover the place with "Arteta needs more windows than microsoft" Try looking for a FUNNY joke then maybe you'll have the likes ur wanting to get[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]A*****
Typical Assna fan
zeobdlmruy
0
I have had enough of this ar*ehole
Sleek_savage
1
Arsenal has really turned into a mediocre club. Wish someone as ruthless and ambitious as Abrahamovic will buy the club. Someone who believes in winning. Cause apparently the Kreonke’s believe Europa League spot is an overachievement that’s why Arteta was giving a new contract
palesta
0
thank you finally someone here who is not deluded like the rest of this fanbase who love mediocrity
nutmegprince
0
So such thing as over achieving when you couldn’t even reach the target set for you that’s just bullsh*t… how’s that supposed to motivate players
Natanya_Barrett
0
Lack of ambition and competency only a mediocre coach or person would settle for little and less, it's almost 3years and we've gone from 6th to 8th then to 5th for a club of Arsenal standards having the likes of Tottenham and Chelsea ahead of us each year shows how our standards are falling lower and lower each season that passes people are content with a average arrogant coach who praises and keeps average players at his disposal despite getting sufficient fund to improve.. 3 more years of this BS
Natanya_Barrett
1
Arsenal's major problem has always been lack of ambition from Arsenal's Hierachy. it has never been any of the manager's fault. This is part of the reason they always hire a small manager that they control to match their low ambition.
thank you finally someone here who is not deluded like the rest of this fanbase who love mediocrity
palesta
1
Arsenal's major problem has always been lack of ambition from Arsenal's Hierachy. it has never been any of the manager's fault. This is part of the reason they always hire a small manager that they control to match their low ambition.
Drypenganmaster-237_
0
Arteta needs more Windows than Microsoft
Dude its not funny. Ur allover the place with "Arteta needs more windows than microsoft" Try looking for a FUNNY joke then maybe you'll have the likes ur wanting to get[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]A*****
Drypenganmaster-237_
0
If Arteta is given the amount of money Man United owners gave their coaches, we would have closed the gap with Liverpool and Man City. We are the youngest club in the league, so many key players had injuries, yet we finished 5th. If you don’t call this achievement then you’re an ungrateful fan.
You've said it all
Gunners4ever❤
0
am tell you bro, if the give him the funds and players needed like what they give to FRANK LAMPARD. everyone some of them will say he is the best coach in the world 🌎. I have faith in MIKEL
He's been given more backing in terms of both money and his choice of new signings than Wenger or Emery ever did from Kroenke so what the hell are you talking about, visitor who knows nothing about football?
Gunners4ever❤
0
SACKET HIM.
What is sacket, visitor?
Gunners4ever❤
2
That's what a l0ser manager would say. Unfortunately we have to tolerate this nonsense for at least one more season[Crylaugh]
Superjovic
0
Hope for more next season
Vudbceklpu
0
because of top 4. Spurs fan are everywhere. All this time Spurs fans are sleeping. go back to sleep not that ur club will win the championship league next season. 😄
sammnps
2
l think we don well look at man u with all the stars we still finnish before them guys we don well
boeackmnry
1
U r a fake supporter of Arsenal... Arsenal don’t need this type of supporter....like u If Arteta is given the amount of money Man United owners gave their coaches, we would have closed the gap with Liverpool and Man City. We are the youngest club in the league, so many key players had injuries, yet we finished 5th. If you don’t call this achievement then you’re an ungrateful fan
am tell you bro, if the give him the funds and players needed like what they give to FRANK LAMPARD. everyone some of them will say he is the best coach in the world 🌎. I have faith in MIKEL
boeackmnry
4
Mikel, am with you 100% .with more time you can deliver and make ARSENAL one of the best team in the world. keep it up coach ....everything about life is time and patience. Respect coach Mikel and the Gunners for life .
dee_59
0
God save this club if the head coach is content with such an Underachievement..
voselmnosu
0
If only the Mananger did some few signings in January especialy on the attacking department after the depasture of Aubameyang Arsenal should have by all means tried to add one senior forward and a midfielder to boost the boys because it was obvious that inexperience players would be under pressure torwards the end of the season because every body (other teams) will running away from relegation and some competing for the top four then that is when Arsenal was exposed , in order to avoid this sad situation next season Arteta has to add fire power in all the departments mixing the youth with experience then they can compete with Liverpool , City , Chelsea , Tottenham and Man United but if he continue signing only this kids then it would over for him
stylecity
1
the other day you were sure of top four but I guess reality have a way of creeping in
TanvirIslamozil
1
SACKET HIM.
U r a fake supporter of Arsenal... Arsenal don’t need this type of supporter....like u If Arteta is given the amount of money Man United owners gave their coaches, we would have closed the gap with Liverpool and Man City. We are the youngest club in the league, so many key players had injuries, yet we finished 5th. If you don’t call this achievement then you’re an ungrateful fan
Cotclmrst
0
Arsenal top4 world have been sure because they refused to sign classic players even two players January transfer and Arsenal were not playing champions league and they dropped out from FA . they have strongly to get top4
zeccdiopu
7
If Arteta is given the amount of money Man United owners gave their coaches, we would have closed the gap with Liverpool and Man City. We are the youngest club in the league, so many key players had injuries, yet we finished 5th. If you don’t call this achievement then you’re an ungrateful fan.
Nupbdekru
1
SACKET HIM.
Memnon
3
Arteta needs more Windows than Microsoft
Maravilla
6
i'm proud of our achievement this season !!!!