Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said that Liverpool winning the Premier League title had hurt him 'big time' and he only watched a 'small part' of their title celebrations.
Arne Slot's men were crowned league champions last weekend with four games to spare after beating Tottenham 5-1.
It follows the Gunners finishing runners-up to Manchester City in two consecutive seasons, with this campaign seen as their opportune moment to capitalise after the slump of Pep Guardiola's side who currently sit in fourth place.
When asked if it hurt missing out to Liverpool, Arteta said: '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 Spaniard went on to explain the pain of watching the Reds celebrate their title scalp.
'[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.'
podinptuyz
32
Some people don't like Arteta but I know that Arteta is the one trying to bring back Arsenal to the big stage. Arsenal is slowly becoming an elite club. It is not easy to beat Real Madrid home and away in Champions League but Arteta has done it. No body will ever take away that from him. I Know that he beat a weak Madrid full of injuries but Madrid remains Madrid. Bravo to Arteta. Arteta has built the best defence in the world. If you don't credit him for that, you don't like him. I am not a fan of Arsenal but truth be told. Arteta is just unlucky. I think he is one of the best coaches in the world. I wish he can one time coach Barcelona or Atletico Madrid or AC Milan. ARTETA IS A GREAT COACH, HE IS JUST UNLUCKY.
pukikmprsu
7
Arterta, congratulations. you have done well with Arsenal. trophies will come, all you need is an injury free squad which is missing most times. truth be told, many clubs know that Arsenal has a good scouting system for players, so many clubs wait to see it and then boom, they too become interested. Good luck, trophies will come.