After leading Arsenal players to perform the guard of honour for Manchester United last Sunday, vice-captain Mikel Arteta is determined more than ever, to win a trophy with the Gunners.
The former Everton midfielder, made it clear that the club should not be chasing a top-four finish again next season, but aiming to compete with United and the rest for the League.
“Next season we have to improve on this current gap,” Arteta told the Arsenal website. “United deserved it (the guard of honour). They won the league with four games to go so they deserved the clapping. When someone does the job you have to congratulate them. This is the respectful thing to do.
“You want to be in that situation to walk on the pitch and the other teams show respect because you are the winners. Hopefully, along with our young players, we will have the chance to do it.”
Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, are all in the chase for the last two Champions League spots and Arteta believes that will be sorted in the final week of the season.
“We are in the same situation as we were beforehand,” he stated.
“We have tough games to play. It will be very close and will go to the last game. Yes it will be about who is the most clinical at the right moments. When it gets to the last games the teams who are the most clinical win the games. We have seen that over the last few weeks. It will be a difficult battle for everyone.
“You want to do well when you go for challenges or make a mistake. There is pressure on us like there is for the other teams. Every team we face in the Premier League is playing for something, relegation or Europe. It will be interesting.
“I believe in our players but we have to show we can do it. It is easy saying we have a better chance but it is up to us to do it on the pitch. Every game is difficult and anything can happen. We have to play for that.”
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