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Mikel Arteta says Arsenal have underachieved this season and admitted watching Liverpool clinch the Premier League title hurt “in his tummy”.
The Gunners are heading towards a third successive second-placed finish after failing to prevent Arne Slot’s side from claiming top spot with a 5-1 dismantling of Tottenham last Sunday.
Normally those of an Arsenal persuasion relish in Spurs’ misery but Arteta conceded it was a different feeling last weekend.
Asked if missing out once again hurt, he said: “Big time. In my tummy. But I understand that it is a team that have been a lot more consistent.”
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Not straightforward to say this was Arsenal’s year – Arteta
Having finished twice to Manchester City in successive years, there was a school of thought that suggested this year was going to be Arsenal’s.
“It is not that simplistic,” Arteta added.
“We have so much to play for still in the Champions League and Premier League and our focus is there.
“At the end of the season we have many weeks to reflect.
“The only thing we can control is our performances and emotional state. We haven’t achieved what we wanted.
“I will use this [time] to congratulate Liverpool with the manner they have done it. They have shown consistency and they deserved to win it.
“As a club in the last 10, 15 years, they have been there competing and winning those big trophies. They did it because they did a lot of things very well so they are deserved champions.”
Injuries still plague Arsenal
Arsenal go to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final trailing 1-0 from the game at the Emirates, and Arteta says their European run is a useful reminder of what they have been able to do despite a crippling injury list.
“I was very shocked just before the game against PSG at home,” he said.
“I saw Takehiro Tomiyasu, Riccardo Calafiori, Thomas Partey, Kai Havertz, Gabriel, Gabriel Jesus and Jorginho all together in the dressing room.
“That could have been a starting line-up and we don’t have them and we haven’t for months. No one is talking about it in the building but that’s happening.
“I am proud of them.”
None of his walking wounded will return for tomorrow’s home game with Bournemouth but Arteta remains hopeful Jorginho, Calafiori and Havertz will be back before the end of the season.