Mikel Arteta appeared to aim a dig at Manchester United’s Premier League position on Sunday
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta appeared to aim a dig at Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur after his side all-but confirmed second place in the Premier League and their spot in next season’s Champions League.
The Gunners are set to finish second in the table for the third-straight campaign but have failed to win any silverware this term. However, after a poor run of form Arteta’s side were looking like slipping out of second spot before they beat Newcastle United 1-0 on Sunday afternoon to seal a place in next season’s Champions League.
They are six points ahead of Manchester City, who can catch Arsenal if the Gunners lose to Southampton on the final day - and if Pep Guardiola’s side win their final two games. It has been a somewhat disappointing season for Arteta’s men, who failed to mount a strong challenge against Liverpool for the Premier League title.
Mikel Arteta aims dig at Manchester United and Tottenham
One of United or Spurs will also qualify for the Champions League despite sitting 16th and 17th, respectively. The pair contest the Europa League final on Wednesday night in Bilbao - and one side will be able to put their miserable league campaign well and truly behind them.
However, Arteta could not resist a dig at some of his big six rivals as he pointed to how injuries have derailed other teams much more than his side. He said after the 1-0 victory over Newcastle: “Make sure, as I said, that it doesn’t get blurry, and it doesn’t get recognised what we’ve done.
“Any other team, I’ve seen it with one injury to finishing eighth, fifth, 16th, 17th. What this team has done, in my opinion, to sustain the level throughout the season with everything that happened is incredible.
“We don’t want anybody to value [it], but me as a manager, I have to value what these guys have done.”
Manchester United and Ruben Amorim can have the last laugh
Despite the possibility of finishing 14 places below the Gunners, United could still be alongside them in the Champions League next campaign - and have some silverware to show for it. Amorim’s side dumped Arsenal out of the FA Cup earlier in the season and could make it three trophies in three seasons if they triumph over Tottenham.
United have had their fair share of injury problems this campaign but could put those behind them with victory in the Europa League final.
"Of course, we have to believe," said Amorim looking ahead to the final. "I am really confident. I feel that my players are ready for this game. They know what it means, not just for us but for our fans and for the club. After this season, we are ready to fight for the one thing that can help us remember this season in a different way.
"So I am really confident. We are living a season that is really strange because we are doing so well in Europe but, in the Premier League, we struggle.
"But we will be prepared for the final. It's a different context and a different game. The most important thing is the change in mentality in my team. They compete and that is the most important thing for me."