Mikel Arteta was full of bluff and bluster following Arsenal’s Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain, but employing a little self-analysis and humility may be a better approach after another failure.
It could go some way to not just solving the glaring problem with his team, but also to build some bridges with a fanbase whose frustration with coming second is growing with each near miss.
Arteta’s post-match claim that Arsenal were “100 per cent” better than Paris Saint-Germain was misguided and his boast that the Gunners were “100 per cent” the best team in the competition equally bizarre.
“I don’t agree at all.” 🗣
Mikel Arteta and Luis Enrique had differing opinions on who was the better team over the tie… pic.twitter.com/8pNVLUXKS9
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 8, 2025
PSG boss Luis Enrique disagreed, as did former Arsenal chief Arsene Wenger, who was working as a pundit for beIN sport.
Striker issue should have been solved in January
The bottom line is with better recruitment, in which Arteta plays a crucial role, Arsenal could well have got past PSG and landed their first Champions League crown.
Gabriel Jesus damaged his anterior cruciate ligament midway through the January transfer window. And yet Arsenal chose to plough on with Kai Havertz as their sole striker, and even then the Germany international is more comfortable in a deep-lying role than as an out-and-out number nine.
Somewhat predictably, Havertz then sustained a serious hamstring injury that ruled him out for the bulk of the season.
At the time, Arsenal were Liverpool’s closest challengers in the Premier League and still going well in Europe.
Liverpool subsequently clinched the title at a stroll, Arsenal are out of the Champions League and back in the fight to finish in the top-five.
If there was one mitigating factor in Arsenal’s lack of January activity – bar a late bid for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins that was never likely to succeed – it was the fact they were operating without a full-time sporting director.
Edu left in November and Andrea Berta did not arrive in March. But in the modern age of numerous executives, large recruitment teams and global scouting operations, does that excuse really wash?
Arteta claims started even before PSG return
Last night’s claims from Arteta continued a theme of recent days.
Even in the build-up to the game at the Parc des Princes, the Spaniard was claiming victory from failure, stating his team were unlucky not to win the Premier League in the last two seasons.
“Winning trophies is about being in the right moment in the right place. Liverpool have won the title with less points than we got in the last two seasons. With the points of the past two seasons we have two Premier League [titles],” he said, albeit half tongue in cheek.
To an extent he’s right, of course, the facts back that up.
And Arsenal have made huge strides under his leadership. When he arrived at the Emirates in December 2019, the Gunners were 10th in the Premier League and going nowhere quickly.
But for all the progress, and the fact they are now challenging for the game’s biggest prizes, the bottom line is the sole trophy won under Arteta’s stewardship was the 2020 FA Cup.
Things must change before 2025-26
It’s a big summer for both club and head coach.
Arsenal have to sign a number nine that can turn them from nearly men to title winners. Be it Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko or Victor Osimhen, an out-and-out goal grabber is a must.
Arteta is just about in credit with the bulk of the Arsenal fans but another failure in the window and that goodwill would swiftly dry up.
In the meantime, the Arsenal boss needs to quit with the fanciful claims and admit mistakes have been made.
Only then will his side progress.
