adminThere is no air of resignation from the Spaniard, however, as he discusses the ins and outs, successes and failures of the Gunners’ topsy-turvy soccer campaign.
Instead, there’s a steely determination in his voice. It is a determination to ensure this is not the season Arsenal lose their place among Europe’s elite.
“With 10 games to go and to be 24 points behind (the leaders), it’s an impossible catch and that, for me, is unacceptable,” said Arteta.
“We can’t be in that position because we have the best basic structure I’ve ever seen at a football club. Great philosophy, good players, we’ve got financial backing to do whatever we want, unbelievable crowds for the stadium. Let’s go for it!
“Staying in the Champions League is massive. If we don’t get in those spots it makes everything much more difficult. To any team with top players, you have to ask what’s going to happen. There’s only one answer: we want to improve the team.
“We want to be better and next season we want to get more points, which means we will have won more games. I think the board know that and, hopefully, this summer we’ll do something about it.”
That will be easier said than done if Arsenal fail to qualify for the Champions League. Arsene Wenger knows he has to spend this summer and the noises coming out of the Emirates are that he is willing to write large cheques.
But without the lure of playing in Europe’s premier club competition next season, attracting those big names will be a struggle.
“When I decided to leave Everton and join Arsenal, playing in the Champions League was a major factor,” said Arteta, speaking at the launch of the new PUMA Kings.
“To play in those big games is a great experience and I don’t regret the decision. It improves you as a player.
“It’s a good test to see where you are. Sometimes you think you are playing unbelievable but then you play in the Champions League against top players and you think: ‘I’ve got a lot of work to do’.”
Speaking of having a lot of work to do, Arteta’s side will tonight face the daunting prospect of trying to overturn a 3-1 Champions League deficit away at arguably the strongest team on the European continent at the moment: Bayern Munich.
Jupp Heynckes’ side were irresistible in the first leg, with their pace, power, passing and German know-how sweeping the Gunners aside with consummate ease.
Arteta said: “Bayern were very good in the first leg and it will be even harder away from home. For me, they are the best team we have played this season.
“They are strong physically, have some talented players who can unlock the door at any moment and they are solid and organised.”
Despite the common consensus, Arteta insists all is not lost for Arsenal in their attempts to stay in the competition.
If they need inspiration, a walk down memory lane should do the trick. Having lost their last 16 first leg against AC Milan 4-0 last year, the Gunners almost pulled off a miraculous comeback at the Emirates, winning the return leg 3-0.
But, as Arteta reflects on that game, that adjective — unacceptable — enters the conversation again. This time he’s remembering the disastrous FA Cup home defeat by Blackburn.
“We want to win silverware a lot,” said Arteta.
“That’s why the FA Cup exit was crazy. It was hard to get that out of my head.
“The way we threw it away, it was unbelievable. Then you see the draw. We just had to win that game and it was a straight line to the final. — Mailonline.
Online Reporter