Mikel Arteta has issued a rallying cry to the Arsenal fanbase as the Gunners continue to chase Premier League glory after narrowly missing out for a third straight year
Mikel Arteta insists that Arsenal must continue to "case the dream" after missing out on the Premier League once again. The club wrapped up second spot with a win at the weekend, but have long known they would be denied top spot.
It is the third year on the trot that the north Londoners have finished second in the title fight - this time losing out to Liverpool. Arteta is the man looking to deliver the title and end the club's trophy drought, which dates back to the FA Cup in 2020.
This has been the furthest Arsenal have been from the champions having previously ran Manchester City close in each of the past two seasons. The club have continued to invest in an effort to again reach the summit of English football.
Arteta has remained defiant and has been able to turnaround the club's fortunes since his appointment back in 2019 - without taking the final step. Next year presents a fresh opportunity and the Arsenal boss has issued his latest rallying cry.
He told the club's fanbase: "We had a dream, it was to be here or in a week's time and bring the big trophies to you guys and we couldn't do it for many circumstances. We need to make sure that chasing a dream doesn't get blurry and make sure we chase the dream with positivity and enthusiasm for next season.
"We have to start creating our own history here in this stadium and we started this season. There is much more to come and it won't be easy. These players have the talent. We need to rest and finish at Southampton and then go on holiday. Any other club in this position would finish in a position that we cannot even dream of."
The Spaniard cited the "many circumstances" that have seen Arsenal miss out on the Premier League trophy, which they haven't won since 2004. He hasn't been shy in bemoaning some of the things that haven't gone the way of his team.
Injuries have stretched their attacking resources with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz both sidelined for months. The Gunners have also been on the receiving end of some controversial red cards, several of which have cost them points.
“Red cards and injuries, for sure, but without that, we don’t know what would have happened," he said. “Would we have been much closer? For me, the answer is without a question, yes. Because of what we have been producing and the performances that we had.”