Exclusive: Mikel Arteta reveals his struggle to move on from last season’s Premier League disappointment – ‘It took me some time to recover’

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 highlighted 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 emphasized the need to accept this reality and move forward. Despite missing out on the 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 team’s confidence received a boost when they secured a penalty shoot-out victory against City in the Community Shield. This victory helped them overcome the mental barrier and finally defeat City with a 1-0 win in October.

Arteta expressed the significance of this victory, stating that when competing against the best team in the world, Arsenal needed to be at their absolute best to come out on top. He praised the team’s performance on that special day, where they executed their game plan flawlessly and capitalized on their opportunities.

For fans eager to watch Arsenal’s upcoming match against Newcastle United, it will be broadcasted live on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate. Coverage will begin at 19:00 on Saturday, February 24, with kick-off at 20:00. TNT Sports is available on various TV platforms, including discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media. To find local establishments showing TNT Sports, fans can use the Pub Finder tool.