Mikel Arteta has downplayed Liverpool’s Premier League title success this season, with Reds fans now rounding on the Arsenal boss after the Gunners came up short again
Liverpool fans have launched into Mikel Arteta after the Arsenal boss appeared to play down their Premier League title win. Arne Slot led the Merseyside team to the title in his first season as manager.
Once again Arsenal have been left as the bridesmaid rather than the bride, having finished as runners-up in both of the last two seasons. They sit second again with three games to go, a massive 15 points adrift of Liverpool.
The Gunners could even slip down the table, given they are only three points ahead of third-place Manchester City. They do still have a chance of winning the Champions League, but must overturn a one-goal deficit against Paris Saint-Germain in their semi-final.
Ahead of Wednesday’s second leg at the Parc des Princes, Gunners boss Arteta has defended his side’s efforts this season. He pointed to the fact that Liverpool were confirmed as champions after picking up 82 points.
When finishing as runners-up in the 2022/2023 campaign, Arsenal registered 84 points, before picking up 89 points to still finish behind champions City last season. Arteta hinted that Liverpool have benefitted from a large slice of luck in their title win.
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“We’re going to try to do it [win trophies] this season,” Arteta said. “Winning trophies is about being in the right moment in the right place. Liverpool have won the title with less points than we have in the last two seasons.
“But at the point of the last two seasons we have two Premier Leagues, so you have to be in the right moment in the right place. Hopefully here we are in the right moment in the right place in Paris tomorrow, to earn the right to be in that final.
“I mean, again, one win away from being in the final. We cannot catch for anything else. Let’s not do the talking, let’s do tomorrow on that pitch at 9pm when the game starts. So best, best, best, best version and win the game.”
But those comments have not gone down well with Liverpool fans, with many jumping at the chance to lash out at Arteta. One said: “I saw this quote earlier and thought it must be fake.”
Another fumed: “I really hope PSG thump these lot tomorrow night and they finish another season without a trophy because this guy is honestly unbearable.” A third added: “This is mind-numbingly stupid. I actually thought he was smart.”
A fourth pointed out: “Liverpool won the title with 4 games left; there are now 3 games left, a possible extra 9 points, which would put Liverpool on 91 if they won all 3. Arsenal posted 89 and 84 points respectively from 38 games in 23/24 and 22/23. This chap waffles excuses for breakfast.”
A fifth said: “Arteta has never reached 90 points. Liverpool are on course to break the 90 point barrier for the 4th time in 6 years.” Another wrote: “Arteta is an embarrassment to a once-great club.”
A seventh added: “Such a loser. Why is he moaning about Liverpool at a UCL press conference?” A final fan concluded: “Is this guy concussed? We have more points than Arsenal had the last two season at the same exact timeline.”
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