Exclusive: Mikel Arteta discusses the Premier League disappointment of last season – ‘We lacked some crucial elements’.

Mikel Arteta, the Head Coach of Arsenal FC, was seen looking on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 first leg match between FC Porto and Arsenal FC at Estadio do Dragao on February 21, 2024, in Porto, Portugal.

As the Gunners prepare for their Premier League fixture against Newcastle, Arteta has opened up about the disappointment he felt after Manchester City snatched the Premier League title from their grasp.

Last season, Arsenal held the top spot in the league for an impressive 248 days, a record for a team that ultimately did not win the title. Their aim was to secure their first domestic crown since 2003/04. However, a series of three draws followed by a 4-1 defeat to Man City saw them lose their position at the top. Subsequent defeats to Brighton and Nottingham Forest dashed their hopes completely.

Reflecting on this experience, Arteta spoke on ‘Moments That Made Me’ for TNT Sports, discussing the impact it had on him and the lessons he learned from falling short when it mattered most. He admitted that it took him a while to get over the disappointment, as winning the Premier League was a burning desire for him. He emphasized the importance of being fully committed, fit, and focused during the crucial months of March and April, which Arsenal failed to do.

Arteta acknowledged that despite their efforts, sometimes another team simply performs better and achieves more points. He accepted that in such cases, one must acknowledge the superior performance of the opposition and move on. Despite missing out on the Premier League title, Arsenal made significant progress last season after finishing fifth in the previous campaign.

However, there was still a major hurdle to overcome ahead of the new season. Arsenal had suffered 12 consecutive defeats to Manchester City in the Premier League and 15 defeats in 16 matches in all competitions, dating back to November 2017. The Gunners were desperate to end this losing streak and gain a psychological advantage.

Their opportunity came in the Community Shield, where Arsenal secured a penalty shoot-out victory over Manchester City. This triumph provided the team with renewed belief and set the stage for their 1-0 victory over City in the Premier League last October. Arteta described this win as a significant boost and highlighted the importance of performing exceptionally well when competing against the best team in the world.

To watch the upcoming Arsenal v Newcastle United match, fans can tune in to TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate, with coverage starting at 19:00 on Saturday, February 24, before kick-off at 20:00. TNT Sports is available on various TV platforms, including discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media. Fans can also use the Pub Finder tool to locate local establishments showing TNT Sports.