Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has called on his team to not settle for being runners-up and to aim for the Premier League title next season.
Arteta disclosed this after Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Everton at Emirates Stadium, where goals from Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kai Havertz were not enough to clinch the title, as Manchester City secured it with a 3-1 win over West Ham.
Addressing the supporters at full-time, Arteta said, “Now it is time to have a break, think, reflect, and please keep pushing. Keep inspiring this team. Don’t be satisfied because we want much more than that and we are going to get it.”
When questioned about his confidence, Arteta stated, “If we do what we have to do, we’re going to be closer and at the end we’ll win it. When, I don’t know. But if we keep knocking and being that close, in the end it will happen.”
Arsenal ended the season with 89 points, the third-highest tally in Premier League history not to win the league.
“I know what it takes,” he said. “I know what happened and this is the level. No one has to explain what the level is because I was there four years every day and I know what we have to do if we are going to reach there.”
Arteta revealed that Arsenal is on the right path, stating, “We’re on the right trajectory and now we need really to pull the teeth and bite into it because we really want more.” He added, “It was an unbelievable season again but we are not champions and that is the reality.”
