Arsenal look set to finish second in the Premier League for the third straight season, after defeating Newcastle United 1-0 courtesy of a sumptuous Declan Rice strike.
Securing their Champions League qualification with the victory, the Gunners will be looking eagerly towards next season, hoping that the 2025/26 campaign finally warrants some major prizes under Mikel Arteta.
| Position | Team | Played MP |
Won W |
Drawn D |
Lost L |
For GF |
Against GA |
Diff GD |
Points Pts |
| 1 |  |
36 | 25 | 8 | 3 | 83 | 37 | 46 | 83 |
| 2 |  |
37 | 19 | 14 | 4 | 67 | 33 | 34 | 71 |
| 3 |  |
37 | 20 | 6 | 11 | 68 | 46 | 22 | 66 |
| 4 |  |
37 | 19 | 9 | 9 | 63 | 43 | 20 | 66 |
| 5 |  |
37 | 19 | 9 | 9 | 58 | 49 | 9 | 66 |
| 6 |  |
36 | 19 | 8 | 9 | 67 | 43 | 24 | 65 |
The Spaniard will be frustrated at playing the bridesmaid for a third year in a row, a feat the North London club also suffered from 1999 to 2001.
Arteta’s side haven’t been able to hold a candle to Liverpool this year, with the Reds romping to their 20th league title, leaving the competition in their dust. The Gunners have dropped 21 points from winning positions, a worrying statistic which shows why Arsenal won’t be crowned champions.
Addressing the Emirates Stadium following their final home game of the season, Arteta spoke on the club’s unachieved dream and promised that he will create history during his time in the dugout.
Mikel Arteta knows Arsenal must win trophies
Issuing a rousing battle cry to the Arsenal fans, the 43-year-old apologised for this season’s shortcomings and outlined next year’s ambitions.
“We had a dream, it was to be here today or in a week’s time to bring the big trophies to you guys,” stated Arteta via Arsenal’s website.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to do it for many circumstances, but make sure that chasing a dream doesn’t get blurry and you don’t see what these players, the staff and this football club is doing and make sure that we chase the dream with enthusiasm and positivity towards next season.
“I said before we have to start to create our own history here in this stadium, we’ve certainly started this season, there’s much more to come.
“We have to do it all together, it’s not going to be easy but this group of players, I’m telling you, have the hunger, they have the quality, they have the talent and we’re going to make it happen.”
Arteta, ever determined to keep standards high, kept a focus on the Gunners’ trip to Southampton before turning full attention to the upcoming summer.
“We need to reset first, we need to finish winning at Southampton and then go on holidays,” he said.
“But before we do that, please, because I know what these players have been through, this staff, this season. Any other club in this position will finish in a position you cannot even dream of, so please say thank you to the players, say thank you to the staff and thank you to all of you for your support.”
Martin Odegaard agrees with Gunners manager
Martin Odegaard copied his manager’s sentiment following the match, whilst also addressing the Arsenal supporters.
The Norwegian has been one of the Gunners’ most important operators throughout the past few seasons, constantly highlighted alongside Bukayo Saka as one of the side’s most important components.
That said, the 26-year-old has struggled this term, unable to match his contribution to the team of the previous two seasons. Odegaard admitted that he hasn’t been good enough this season, after coming under fire from pundits such as Gary Neville.
Martin Odegaard stats 2024/25
| Appearances | 44 |
| Goals | 5 |
| Assists | 11 |
Arsenal’s captain looked at the club’s run to the Champions League semi-finals as a high point for the season, but admitted the Gunners have to do better in the Premier League.
It was the club’s first venture to the last four of Europe’s premier football competition since 2009, dispatching holders Real Madrid thanks to Declan Rice’s stunning free-kick double. In the end, European success wasn’t meant to be, as PSG broke Arsenal hearts in the semi-finals.
“We can be very proud of what we’ve done, especially in the Champions League,” he said during our lap of appreciation. “I think we had a great run and had some great experiences there.
“Those are the nights that we live for, to play here at home with that support, the stadium was on fire, great game, hopefully we can have many more moments like that next season so it’s unbelievable to feel that support and the love from you guys.
“We have to admit that we haven’t been good enough in the league but I think we just have to take all the experiences, good and bad, and take them into next season and make sure that we come back better.”
“We want to say thank you for the support, we always feel the love when we come here to the stadium and the support we have is amazing so thank you so much.
“We have to use all the experiences from this season, good and bad, feel that pain of not winning and take into next season and make sure we come back stronger and bring trophies to this club.”
Time will tell who Arsenal recruit this summer, but the pressure will be massively on Arteta and Co. next season to finally bring home some major honours.
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