Arteta: 'The Premier League next season will be more difficult'
"We have to do everything perfectly, and be excellent in every step we come into contact with, to be able to make a big impact at the club. The Premier League next season will be even more difficult than this one." Arteta said on May 26 at a press conference before the match against Wolves in the final round.
Arsenal leads the Premier League 93% of the time this season and even created an eight-point gap with Man City in early April, but still cannot win the title. The "Gunners" lost three of the last five matches, equal to their number of defeats during the previous 32 rounds, for Man City to go ahead and defend the title.
Arteta says this is the most difficult season since he arrived in the Premier League in 2005, and Arsenal must have a "really promising plan" to stay competitive next season. According to the Spain coach, the whole team may have to reflect a bit, take a step back, make sure that every decision is made right, and come back with determination and desire to do even better after the break. summer.
According to Sky Sports, Arsenal want to strengthen from two to three positions in the summer of 2023, with a priority being a central midfielder, a central defender. Targets are being targeted include midfielders Declan Rice (West Ham), Moise Caicedo (Brighton) and midfielder Edmond Tapsoba (Leverkusen).
Before the closing round of the Premier League, Arsenal certainly finished second to return to the Champions League - the first time since the 2016-2017 season under the legendary manager Arsene Wenger. Arteta insists Arsenal must end the season with a great performance and home win. He wanted to take advantage of the Wolves game to show his gratitude and take in the incredible energy from the fans, and start building for next season.
The Spanish coach also used the word "connection" to summarize Arsenal's season. "I think the club is connected, the parts of the club are connected in a really strong way," explains Arteta. "The fans connect with the club, with the owners and with the rest of the world. And I think we have reconnected with the club's selves and have to move forward."
Arteta revealed Arsenal will not hold a party at the end of the season. He said: "The whole team had dinner last week. I imagine the moment on the field on Sunday when we have family and everyone there. It would be a good time to end the season, look at each other and move on. customary".
The Spanish leader confirmed that William Saliba, Tomiyasu Takehiro, Mohamed Elneny were still out, while Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Reiss Nelson left open the possibility of playing this weekend. He declined to comment on the future of Granit Xhaka - the midfielder was said to have reached an agreement to join Leverkusen for a fee of $ 16 million when the transfer window opened.
