Liverpool supporters have taken aim at Mikel Arteta following comments from the Arsenal manager that seemed to downplay their Premier League triumph. Arne Slot has guided the Reds to glory in his inaugural season at the helm.
Arsenal, once more, finds itself in the familiar position of second best, having ended up as runner-up for two consecutive seasons. With just three matches remaining, it is a staggering 15 points behind Liverpool.
The Gunners’ grip on second place is tenuous, with only a three-point buffer separating them from third-placed Manchester City. Their Champions League aspirations hang in the balance too, as they face the task of reversing a one-goal deficit against Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals.
In the build-up to Wednesday’s crucial second leg at the Parc des Princes, Arteta has come out in defense of his team’s performance this term. He highlighted that Liverpool clinched the title with 82 points — a tally less than what Arsenal achieved when they finished second in the 2022/2023 season with 84 points, and again less than their 89 points last season when they trailed champions City.
However, the Reds could still beat both of those tallies this season, with a total of 91 points still possible for Slot’s side. Nevertheless, Arteta suggested that fortune played a part in Liverpool’s success.
“We’re going to try to do it [win trophies] this season,” Arteta said. “Winning trophies is about being in the right moment in the right place. Liverpool have won the title with less points than we have in the last two seasons.
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“But at the point of the last two seasons we have two Premier Leagues, so you have to be in the right moment in the right place. Hopefully here we are in the right moment in the right place in Paris tomorrow, to earn the right to be in that final.
“I mean, again, one win away from being in the final. We cannot catch for anything else. Let’s not do the talking, let’s do tomorrow on that pitch at 9pm when the game starts. So best, best, best, best version and win the game.”
But Liverpool supporters were less than impressed with Arteta’s remarks. One commented: “I saw this quote earlier and thought it must be fake.”
Another expressed their irritation: “I really hope PSG thump these lot tomorrow night and they finish another season without a trophy because this guy is honestly unbearable.”
A third shared their disbelief: “This is mind-numbingly stupid. I actually thought he was smart.”
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A fourth critiqued Arteta’s record: “Liverpool won the title with 4 games left; there are now 3 games left, a possible extra 9 points, which would put Liverpool on 91 if they won all 3. Arsenal posted 89 and 84 points respectively from 38 games in 23/24 and 22/23. This chap waffles excuses for breakfast.”
A fifth pointed out a discrepancy: “Arteta has never reached 90 points. Liverpool are on course to break the 90 point barrier for the 4th time in 6 years.”
And yet another detractor wrote: “Arteta is an embarrassment to a once-great club.”
Another supporter chimed in: “Such a loser. Why is he moaning about Liverpool at a UCL press conference?” A final fan rounded off: “Is this guy concussed? We have more points than Arsenal had the last two season at the same exact timeline.”
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Mirror by clicking here.
