TheNewsGuru

Tag: arteta

  • Arteta inconsolable, says Arsenal fell short

    Arteta inconsolable, says Arsenal fell short

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta graciously congratulated Manchester City for winning the Premier League on Saturday, but there was no concealing his agony.

    This was after his team had led the race for so long but lost form in the crucial run-in.

    Eight points clear two months ago, Arsenal won only two of their last eight games, with defeat to Nottingham Forest handing the title to Pep Guardiola’s unstoppable side.

    “It’s a really sad day. We fell short,” a grim-faced Arteta told reporters after the 1-0 loss at the City Ground.

    “I congratulate Manchester City. They are the champions, they deserved to win. I apologise because we have generated that belief that we could do it, but we were unable to and that is my responsibility.

    “Today we should have played much better. We gave them a goal.

    “When you come to April and May, you need 24 players playing at their best, full of confidence and ready to go, and for many reasons we have not had that.”

    Arteta, who used to work under Guardiola at Manchester City, has however achieved a remarkable turnaround in form for Arsenal, who are a comfortable second in the world’s toughest league.

    They led the standings for 248 days this season: the most for any team who have then failed to win the Premier League.

    “It has been an incredible journey for us over 10 months competing with Manchester City, being ahead of them for so long. We were so eager to go for something in sport and we didn’t reach it,” Arteta said.

    “We have learned huge lessons. We have transformed a lot at this club, we have made huge steps, but the icing on the cake is to win a championship and we fell short.”

    Arteta said it was too early and raw to start talking about next season’s goals. “Today, it is just sadness,” he added.

    “We wanted to find a way, to squeeze everything we had in that group… At the end, it wasn’t enough.

    “I know we are not at that level (of Manchester City), but we have to find a way… We have to find other ways to do it. For example, today we should have played much better… We have to push.

    “We are yet to win. I want to win. I love winning. And when you don’t get there, it’s painful. We have conceded a lot of goals, you can’t sustain that and win this league.

    “Now we must heal. It is very painful. I have to find a way to lift the players and we have a tough week ahead of us.”

    His players shared the pain, but goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale also struck a positive note going forward.

    “Deep down we know what we have achieved. When the dust settles we will be proud, but this is a learning curve for us. It is a season to be proud of for Arsenal football club,” he said.

    “It’s a disappointing end. We have one more game and we need to put a smile back on the fans’ faces.”

  • I’ll take tough decisions soon – Arsenal manager, Arteta

    I’ll take tough decisions soon – Arsenal manager, Arteta

    Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has said he would be taking tough decisions when the present season ends later this month.

    Arteta made this known in a pre-match conference at home against Chelsea on Tuesday at the Emirate.

    For the first time since the beginning of the season, Arsenal dropped to second position one point behind Manchester City who have a game in hand.

    Arsenal will look to build on their progress in this summer’s transfer window and Arteta has already warned there will be difficult decisions on player exits as well as new signings.

    “They are always tough decisions. Whether it’s to recruit or other decisions. Some players sometimes don’t want to continue with us, some staff members.

    “It’s always tough, especially when you have good relationships with those individuals, but we are here to win.

    “That’s the purpose of everybody at the club. We have to win and to win we have to do it in our way and to do that we have to make decisions,” Arteta said.

  • Arsenal have to win at Etihad – Arteta

    Arsenal have to win at Etihad – Arteta

    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists they’re capable of winning at Manchester City after Friday night’s 3-3 draw with Southampton.

    The result leaves Arsenal five points ahead of City before next week’s showdown, though having played two games more.

    Arteta said: “I cannot wait.

    “These are the games you want to play. When everything is at stake you have to go there to win.

    “This young team reacts in a way that is incredible, when it is against the odds, but the chances they created and the spirit they had… it was a joy to watch. The message is clear that I love them.

    “We are down and they are more willing than anybody to win it. You can see that spirit and fight in the dressing room but it is clear we have to do defensively things better.

    “It is not a final because there are still six games to go.

    “The concern is turning around these moments, especially if the players in some moments are in doubt.

    “In football you go through moments when you make errors and are not in a good moment but you have to come away from that.”

  • I will make sure Saka take next penalty – Arteta

    I will make sure Saka take next penalty – Arteta

    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists Bukayo Saka remains his designated penalty taker.

    Saka missed Saturday’s spotkick for their 2-2 draw at West Ham.

    But Arteta says no change will be made, insisting: “He loves responsibility but he puts a lot on his shoulders as well. Again, if he had any doubt about how much people love him, respect him and admire him at the club I think he had a very overwhelming reaction from everyone in the building and the club.

    “In the end I think it can be something very positive that can give him a big lift because everyone acted in an unbelievable way towards him because he deserves it because of the way he is.”

    Asked if Saka will continue to take penalties, Arteta also said: “Yes. If not, I will go on the pitch and throw him the ball to make sure he takes the next one.”

  • Arsenal identify Arteta replacement amid Real Madrid concerns

    Arsenal identify Arteta replacement amid Real Madrid concerns

    Arsenal are concerned about interest in manager Mikel Arteta and have a contingency plan drawn up.

    That’s according to Tuttosport, which are reporting Arsenal’s board is worried about interest from Real Madrid in their manager.

    As such, the Gunners have identified Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi as a replacement should Arteta be tempted to leave.

    Arteta has taken the Gunners eight points clear in the Prem as they chase their first title since 2004, although champions Manchester City have a game in hand.

    And his impact has brought him to the attention of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, who could seek to replace coach Carlo Ancelotti this summer amid confirmed interest from the Brazilian Federation.

    Ancelotti has a contract with Madrid to 2024.

  • Arsenal’s season now has clarity after Europa League exit – Arteta

    Arsenal’s season now has clarity after Europa League exit – Arteta

    Arsenal’s exit from the 2022/2023 Europa League has brought “clarity” to their season and the squad must now focus on their English Premier League title charge, manager Mikel Arteta says.

    Arsenal and Sporting Lisbon drew 1-1 in London and finished 3-3 on aggregate in the tie before the Portuguese club advanced to the quarter-finals with a 5-3 penalty kicks shootout.

    Arsenal have been eliminated from all three Cup competitions they were involved in.

    But they are five points clear in the league and in position to win a first English title since 2004.

    They have 11 games left to play, starting with the visit of Crystal Palace on Sunday.

    “It’s a huge blow, but it brings clarity to the season,” Arteta told Arsenal’s website.

    “It’s 11 games to play for, 11 Premier League games, and a big final against Crystal Palace. The focus has to be there, the energy has to be there and learn from tonight.

    “… we have to learn from it, but the best thing is now the reaction and show the same commitment, more quality and play better against Crystal Palace to beat them.”

    Arteta was dealt a double injury blow on Thursday when Takehiro Tomiyasu had to be substituted early on and fellow defender William Saliba limped off shortly after.

    “Tomiyasu looks pretty serious, from his reaction straight away and what he said to me,” Arteta told reporters.

    “Obviously, it’s very early and difficult to know. William, I don’t know. He had some discomfort and could not carry on. So, we had to take him off.”

  • EPL: Arteta reveals three key players that will not play against Fulham

    EPL: Arteta reveals three key players that will not play against Fulham

    Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has revealed three key players that will miss Arsenal’s game versus Fulham on Sunday at Craven Cottage,

    The Spaniard confirmed that he will be without Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, and Leandro Trossard for Sunday’s clash at Fulham.

    Gabriel Jesus has been out injured since last year and he’s yet to fully recover from his ankle injury.

    Nketiah and Trossard picked up knocks in recent weeks.

    Gabriel Martinelli started upfront against Sporting in the Europa League on Thursday.

    The Gunners currently hold a five-point lead at the top of the table, but face a stern test against in-form Fulham.

    “Eddie is out too so we have Gabi out, Eddie out and Leo is out so we have to adapt in this period of the season.

    “We have different options, we can play with a winger more as a 9, we can play with a false 9, let’s see,” Arteta told Sky Sports.

  • EPL: Mikel Arteta speaks after Man City defeat

    EPL: Mikel Arteta speaks after Man City defeat

    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta feels they only have themselves to blame for defeat at home to Manchester City.

    The result sees City move ahead of Arsenal as Premier League leaders on goal difference, though having played one game more.

    Arteta said, “At the end it is disappointment because we lost. And I mean We lost it. It was an incredible battle between two teams and when we had them we gave them the goals. On the other hand, we had three big chances and we did not put them away.

    “To beat them we have to be above our level because of the quality they have. We matched them and had them in moments, but the games are defined by individual moments in the box and they were better than us.

    “We were really imprecise in starts of play, we didn’t read situations well enough and played fast when we didn’t have any advantage and put ourselves in trouble. OK, we can accept that. But the way we gave away the goals at this level, it is not possible.

    “I didn’t see any difference there with City in the second-half. They went man to man in many situations. We got out of the press in some situations but we didn’t understand when to play and what type of balls to play in certain areas and we got punished.

    “The atmosphere and performance were really good if you take away that we gave Manchester City three goals. I don’t know what more I can demand from the players to match that level. They are the best team in the world and we matched that level. After it is just about doing certain things better to beat them.

    “I have more belief [to win the league] because I see a team going head-to-head with them. You have to go to the next one and in three days we have another game. I have more belief in my players.”

  • Why Arsenal players love playing for Arteta – Odegaard

    Why Arsenal players love playing for Arteta – Odegaard

    Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has laid out why the players love playing for manager Mikel Arteta.

    The Norwegian international, 24, has forged an unbreakable bond with the boss he describes as: “Passionate, intense and a bit crazy.”

    With Arsenal currently sitting five points clear at the top of the Premier League, Odegaard says: “I challenge anyone to come away from a meeting with Mikel Arteta and not believe everything he tells you.

    “When he speaks to you, you understand that whatever he says will happen, will happen.

    “He’s next level. He’s passionate, he’s intense and sometimes, yeah, he’s a bit crazy.

    “So if there is anyone who still doesn’t believe in this Arsenal team, take it from me that there are no limits to what we can achieve. No-one can tell me otherwise.”

    Odegard also told the Players’ Tribune about joining the Gunners: “Arsenal were not doing well at the time. They were way down in like 15th in the table.

    “But he told me his plan, everything he was building towards and he knew exactly what he needed to change at the club.

    “He told me all about these amazing young players in the squad – Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Emile Smith Rowe – and he explained how I was going to fit in and improve.

    “I got this strong feeling that he was onto something really special. And even when we finished eighth at the end of my first season here, no-one at the club lost faith in what we were doing.

    “It was all part of the plan and though we’re in the title race now there is still a long way to go and no one is thinking about May yet.”

  • Mikel Arteta tops Man City shortlist to replace Guardiola

    Mikel Arteta tops Man City shortlist to replace Guardiola

    Manchester City have Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to succeed Pep Guardiola should the Catalan depart.

    City are keeping tabs on Arteta, in case Guardiola leaves the club, says Four Four Two.

    Guardiola’s future at the Etihad appears uncertain after the Premier League charged City with breaching financial regulations.

    The Spaniard previously said he would quick the club over financial rule-breaking.

    And Arteta is a potential replacement.

    Arteta spent time as assistant coach at the Etihad under Guardiola before taking over at Arsenal.