Liam Duckstein
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has shared a compelling perspective on success in football, emphasizing that silverware isn’t the only metric by which a season should be judged.
Congratulating Spurs, But Holding Firm on Philosophy
Following Tottenham Hotspur’s dramatic Europa League victory—despite a tough domestic campaign that saw them finish 17th—Arteta acknowledged their achievement but remained grounded in his own philosophy.
“They are champions and when you get to that, you have to do a lot of things right,” Arteta said. “They’ve overcome obstacles and difficulties to enjoy a beautiful moment.”
Yet, when asked to compare Arsenal’s campaign to that of their North London rivals, Arteta didn’t bite.
“I don’t like to compare with other teams. I need to analyse my team—that’s my job,” he affirmed.
Success Beyond Trophies
Despite Arsenal falling short of a trophy this season, finishing second in the Premier League behind champions Liverpool, Arteta rejected the notion that trophy counts should define success.
“Where is the joy then? If we go by trophies alone, we’ve failed for 20 years in the Premier League and throughout our history in the Champions League,” he stated, pointing to Arsenal’s consistent growth and values as a club.
Arteta’s reflections highlight the importance of identity, style, and community in a football club’s legacy—beyond tangible achievements.
Finishing Strong: Eye on the Best Defensive Record
Looking ahead to their final match against relegated Southampton, Arteta is motivated to end the season on a high by securing the league’s best defensive record. Arsenal have conceded only 33 goals—seven fewer than Liverpool.
“We want to have as many points as possible. We still want to achieve the best defensive record … finish the season on a high,” Arteta said.
Takeaway
Mikel Arteta’s comments are a reminder that football is not just about silverware. For clubs like Arsenal, it’s also about progress, identity, and creating memorable moments with their fans. As they wrap up a promising season, all eyes will be on how they build from here.