EMIRATES STADIUM — The Arsenal players stood on the pitch with miserable faces. Hands on hips, heads bowed, some looked close to tears. Mikel Arteta, the manager, had arms folded, an expression like granite.
Almost the entirety of the Emirates had stayed behind to watch the lap of honour, to pay their respects, say thanks for a history-making season: most wins ever for an Arsenal team — more, even, than the Invincibles — most goals scored ever, least goals conceded this season.
Arteta refused to break into even the hint of a smile as they were reeled off. The players looked like they couldn’t wait to leave. Declan Rice, only one season at the club but the epitome of what Arsenal are becoming, looked pained.
Of course, they stayed out of respect, but they didn’t want to celebrate second place. None of them did. This is the mentality that Arteta has instilled in them – the mentality he believes is the only way to catch Manchester City.
“This has been incredible,” the stadium announcer said, interviewing captain Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian scratched his head, awkwardly, pointed out how disappointed they were. But there was a note of optimism. “We’ve changed the club and I think you all believe in us now,” he said.
They will be back — nobody doubts that now. Maybe they did at the end of last season, when they had fallen away in April, but not today.
If there was any doubt that last season may have been an anomaly it has been dispelled with a second successive title challenge sustained this time until the end.
No other club could get close to City. Joint on points at the end of 2023, Arsenal drew once – against City – and lost to Aston Villa, in 18 games. City’s three draws, including against Chelsea and Liverpool, and no defeats were the difference.
No other club withstood the relentless barrage of blows delivered by City’s unbeaten run to remain standing on the final day.
And who else can realistically challenge the Manchester City monster next season?
Liverpool are in flux. Spurs are yet to master Angeball. Chelsea are maybe putting something together (a big maybe). Manchester United are Manchester United.
Sunday afternoon had started with plenty of hope and starry-eyed optimism — with sun-drenched pubs packed hours before kick off, with the atmosphere pumping in the streets outside the stadium, with Tony Adams strolling around in a red three-piece suit. It was seemingly dead within 20 minutes of kick off.
If the first City goal had started to deflate the stadium, the second burst it with a pin. In that moment it felt as though an entire season was defined — and destroyed — by two goals 250 miles away. The adrenaline seeping away, the slight fuzz of hangover and tingle of sunburn suddenly noticeable.
Arsenal even fell behind. Idrissa Gueye scored from a free kick that took a huge deflection. But then Arsenal equalised, and Mohammed Kudus pulled one back in Manchester. North London roared again. Rumours spread around the stadium of a fake West Ham equaliser.
At least they were able to dream for a few minutes longer at the half-time break, but reality was confirmed by full-time.
Arteta said they need a break, but you can be sure it won’t be long until he is back at it, planning and plotting, working out how they can make up those extra few millimetres to City — the two points that separated them this season.
Arteta will sit down with his superiors when the dust has settled to discuss the summer and terms for a longer contract, before his current one winds into its final 12 months.
This club are on a journey somewhere exciting and, though nobody knows if they will reach the summit, everyone wants to find out if they can.
Rice, Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes are tied down for at least three seasons — the core of a title-winning side. They will return better, with an extra season of experience under their belts and another year of learning about each other, of the manager’s style of play and what he demands of them.
Jurrien Timber — who Arteta believes can become a regular starter — made an appearance for the first time in 10 months.
Sporting director Edu and Arteta proved last summer they have the capability to spend significant financial backing wisely. It will require another similar summer of investment from the owners to challenge City again — to push them further than they have done in the four seasons they are yet to be pipped to the trophy.
The squad’s strengths and weaknesses will be analysed. The deadwood will be cut adrift. Arteta’s garden will be pruned.
The world’s elite will want to join Arsenal because Arteta has proven they are serious contenders. Just as Rice chose Arsenal over City last summer, they can persuade players again, even more convincingly.
The nearly men are nearly there.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/uVI0MK3
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