Mikel Arteta was delighted to see us nail down our spot in the Champions League next term by beating Newcastle United, but is determined to keep “chasing the dream” to bring silverware back to the club next term.
The boss believes that securing a spot in Europe’s premier competition is an achievement to be proud of, especially as nearly half of the top-flight are still in contention to qualify for the next edition, including today’s opponents who will be one of five teams battling it out for three spots on the final day,
Mikel is delighted to have avoided being in that scramble when we head to Southampton in seven days’ time, but wants to be celebrating bigger successes this time next year.
“I’m really happy with the result, it was a really tough match,” he reflected post-match. “We knew that from the beginning they are in really good form and we had to wrap it up.
“It was a lot of pressure for both teams, for us to finish second and make sure that the Champions League was guaranteed. We have managed to do that in a really convincing way and now on to the last game and then summer plans, reset and go again.
“We had the highs and the size of the dream was put into delivering a big trophy. That was the aim at the start of the season and unfortunately we cannot deliver that, but make sure that chasing a dream doesn't blur you, and doesn't take all the incredible things that this football club is doing, the players are doing, the team is doing, because that's the icing on the cake.
“We are really trying and we put the expectations really high. We're going to do that the same, but with that enthusiasm, not just with: ‘yeah, but, if’ - no, we cannot play like this and we should not do that. We're going to try to be better, I’ll be the first one, and go again and start the season in the manner that this football club deserves.”
As the players and staff undertook their lap of appreciation at the end of the game, our supporters gave them a warm reception from all corners of the stadium, thanking them for delivering some moments that will live long in the memories of all Gooners.
The boss was delighted with the amount who stayed behind the pay their respects, and believes the work begins now to go one step further next season.
“I’m really grateful, thank you so much for staying and supporting the players, the staff, myself, the club. It's an incredible connection that we have built over the years. We have experienced some of the best memories that this stadium has had in the last 15, 20 years. We still have many more to come, so let's all push together, and it's going to happen."
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