Mikel Arteta reiterated his firm belief that eliminated Arsenal were indeed the superior team in the Champions League, instructing Luis Enrique to “look at the stats.”
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique had previously ridiculed Arteta`s assertion that his team was better than the side heading to the final, considering Arsenal`s 3-1 aggregate defeat in the semi-finals.
The Arsenal manager, drawing a comparison to Rafa Benitez`s famous `facts` press conference without fully replicating it, reaffirmed: “I stand by my statement completely. I`ve reviewed the match and examined all the statistics.
“When you analyze all the key statistics, those that provide the strongest foundation for winning football matches, it is absolutely clear who was superior.
“Based on an expected goals metric of five versus three in our favour over the two legs, you would typically expect to reach the final.”
Arteta`s emphasis on statistics was reminiscent of then-Liverpool boss Benitez`s memorable 2009 tirade against Alex Ferguson, where the Spaniard confronted the Manchester United manager with a list of `facts`.
Arteta stated: “If you play against PSG and they completely dominate you, you accept it and say, ‘We are not ready yet`.”
“But when you challenge them directly, putting them under pressure the way we did, you were the better side.
“However, it`s not just about the probability of winning; it`s about converting those chances.”
Nevertheless, the Arsenal boss conceded that Liverpool “deserve” to be crowned Premier League champions because his team has taken “a step backwards.”
Arteta had faced criticism for suggesting Liverpool`s potential title-winning point total (up to 91) was lower than the 89 points his team achieved last season or the 84 in 2022-23 when they finished second to Manchester City on both occasions.
He commented: “It`s accurate. With the points tally we achieved, we could have won the title twice.
“But we didn`t. In the Premier League, we have regressed. Liverpool earned the championship.”
While it will be difficult for the Spaniard to instruct his team to form a guard of honour for Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, he understands this is a necessary act for his players.
To grasp how near they were to success. To find deeper resolve to ensure roles are reversed next season.
There is no doubt that another season of falling short has deeply affected Arteta.
It has now been five years since the Basque manager saw his players parade the FA Cup around an empty Wembley after the “Covid Final” win against Chelsea, a moment that feels distant now.
Since that time, while Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea have all secured trophies, Arsenal has failed to do so, faltering at crucial junctures.
As Arteta is aware, serving as unwilling participants in Liverpool`s celebration at Anfield will strongly emphasize this point.
He commented: “Paris was a highly emotional moment.
“It was simultaneously one of the saddest and one of the proudest moments I`ve experienced as Arsenal manager.
“We invested considerable hope, energy, and effort into that campaign, but the result wasn`t what we desired. You must endure such experiences to grow stronger and improve, which is our aim.
“Our performance metrics suggest we are achieving the numbers typically associated with winning titles. We need either a bit more luck or to perform even better.
“Again, based on our performance and stats in the Champions League, there was a high probability of winning the competition. This is why many believed we had the potential to go all the way.
“The terms ‘success’ and ‘failure’ are not part of my personal vocabulary.
“However, failing to win trophies deeply affects me because I cherish winning and utterly detest losing.
“If losing doesn`t cause pain, it certainly means you don`t have the same passion for winning that I do, that`s for sure.”
Some Arsenal fans are concerned that Arteta could become another “nearly man” of North London, echoing the criticism they directed at Mauricio Pochettino and Spurs when their rivals were dominant locally but failed to secure major victories.
Most Arsenal supporters still back Arteta and his “trust the process” philosophy, but the manager wants his players to feel the same disappointment as the away fans just before Sunday afternoon.
He added: “Liverpool have been the standout team, the most consistent. When another team is superior, you must acknowledge, accept, and strive to reach their level.
“This should serve as a driving force, a source of motivation, and perhaps the pain of defeat is a useful tool for that.
“Often, when you are reluctant to do something but recognize it`s the correct path, it becomes motivation for the following season.
“Winning the Premier League is no longer possible, that`s evident. But in these final days, with three matches left, we must ensure we perform admirably and compete fiercely until the very end, as is expected of us.”
For many Arsenal supporters — and external observers — the failure to address the obvious need for a dedicated striker in January proved to be precisely as detrimental as widely anticipated.
When questioned about this point and the significant impact of Mo Salah`s goals for Liverpool this season, Arteta showed some irritation.
He questioned: “Did I need to be clearer about that in January? Was it ambiguous?”
“If you score over 90 goals, you have a high likelihood of winning the Premier League.
“It doesn’t guarantee victory, but it provides a strong probability, especially when combined with a very solid and reliable defensive record.
“Naturally, not many players in the Premier League can consistently achieve those scoring numbers, so I must improve and support the players we currently have.
“This is not the appropriate time to evaluate individual players.”
This accountability also extends to Arteta himself. He stated: “I have a great deal I still need to accomplish. That`s what motivates me daily.
“The sole path to achieving your goals is by maintaining extremely high standards and expectations.
“We are incredibly close to reaching our objectives. I understand the disappointment, and the criticism. That is an inherent part of the process.
“Ultimately, there is only one winner, and the rest do not succeed, so they must adapt and improve.
“However, I have absolute faith in these players and their commitment.
“I know how deeply they are still feeling the pain — now we must demonstrate our fighting spirit and how much we care about the situation.
“And what we still need to achieve is significant because we haven`t accomplished it yet.”
Marcus Bellamy