An important message for Mikel Arteta on behalf of Liverpool supporters everywhere – think before you speak.
We know it must be painful to finish second for a third year in a row – if you even manage that this time – but don’t fall into the same lazy traps that are reserved for the most dim-witted corners of social media.
Liverpool has now had the Premier League title wrapped up for over a week, and Arsenal’s last chance of a trophy this season is hanging by a thread as it needs to overcome Paris Saint-Germain in its own backyard. So what does Arteta do when his team is in need of inspiration? Why, downplay the Reds’ achievements of course.
“Winning trophies is about being in the right moment in the right place,” Arteta said in his pre-match press conference. “Liverpool have won the title with less points than we have in the last two seasons.
“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.”
Right, where do we start? Liverpool fans have been giving Arteta’s comments all the respect they deserve, with even the most mathematically-challenged able to spot the very obvious flaw in his argument.
Over the past two seasons, in which Arsenal has finished as runner-up to Manchester City, the Gunners have finished on 84 and 89 points. Liverpool could end this campaign on 91 points – coincidentally, the same amount of points City ended up on last season.
(Image: Getty Images)
In fact, the Reds have more points after 35 games than Arsenal did at the same stage last season. So, rather than winning the title, Arteta and his men would still be fighting for it with Liverpool – not only that, but they’d be doing it from the all-too familiar spot of second.
It’s understandable if Arteta is feeling a bit sore about once again missing out on the Premier League title, but he simply does not help himself with his comments. He has fallen into the trap of feeding into the narrative that Liverpool has triumphed during a poor season, when the fact of the matter is that his side has simply not been good enough.
He talks about being in the right place at the right time to win trophies. This is the manager of the side that was knocked out of the FA Cup by easily the worst Manchester United side of the last 30 years, despite playing nearly an hour with an extra man.
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Arsenal HAS been in the right place, only to throw it all away at crucial moments. 13 Premier League draws this season alone tells its own story.
Arteta has embarrassed himself with his comments, and all that awaits him now is further humiliation at Anfield this weekend. His Arsenal side will be giving the champions a guard of honor on their own turf, and you better believe Liverpool fans will not let the Gunners’ boss’ comments go quietly.
In a week when supporters are reeling from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave, there was every chance that there might have been a dampener on what should have been a party atmosphere at Anfield. Arteta has done his best to enliven Liverpool supporters again, and just weigh his own side down even further after potentially seeing their last hopes of salvaging something from the season crumble.
Next time Mikel, think a bit more about what you’re going to say.
