Arteta reveals the pain and hurt he has ahead of Arsenal’s clash against Manchester City

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has opened up about the pain he still feels from losing the Premier League title to Manchester City last season. In an interview with British GQ, Arteta revealed that it took him a few weeks to come to terms with the defeat, and he’s not sure if he has completely gotten over it.

The Gunners were in a fierce title race with Manchester City throughout the 2022/23 Premier League season. They had led the league table for an impressive 10 months but suffered a devastating blow in their 37th game week when they were defeated by Nottingham Forest. This loss ultimately cost them the trophy, as Manchester City finished the season with 89 points, five points ahead of Arsenal’s 84.

Reflecting on this painful experience, Arteta said, “I had to go through that, and it took me a few weeks. I don’t know if I’ve gotten over it, and probably I don’t want to because I need that to be better.” These words highlight Arteta’s determination to use this disappointment as fuel for improvement and motivate his team for future success.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – MAY 20: Arsenal players enter a huddle prior to the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal FC at City Ground on May 20, 2023 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Despite falling short in their pursuit of the Premier League title, Arsenal’s second-place finish secured them a spot in the upcoming Community Shield match against Manchester City. The Community Shield is an annual football match held between the winners of the previous season’s Premier League and FA Cup. As Manchester City won both titles last season, Arsenal will face them in this prestigious fixture.

The Community Shield provides an opportunity for Arteta’s men to showcase their abilities against one of England’s top teams once again. It also serves as a chance for redemption after narrowly missing out on the league title. While winning this match may not erase the pain of last season entirely, it can certainly serve as a stepping stone towards achieving their goals in the upcoming campaign.

Arteta’s honesty about his lingering disappointment demonstrates his commitment to continuous improvement. As a manager, he understands the importance of learning from setbacks and using them as motivation to strive for better results. This mindset will undoubtedly resonate with his players and inspire them to give their all in the upcoming match against Manchester City.