The Game That Cost Arsenal Premier League Title: Mikel Arteta Explains Where Gunners Lost Out

The Game That Cost Arsenal Premier League Title: Mikel Arteta Explains Where Gunners Lost Out

Elijah Odetokun
updated at July 5, 2024 at 6:47 AM
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  • Arsenal finished second on the Premier League table behind Manchester City for the consecutive time last season
  • The Gunners dragged City to the final day before Pep Guardiola's side won a record-setting fourth straight trophy
  • Mikel Arteta has opened up on the match he thinks cost his team their first trophy since the 2003/2004 season

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Arsenal fell short of winning the Premier League title again last season, and manager Mikel Arteta thinks he knows the specific match that cost his team the trophy.

The Gunners mounted a title challenge in the 2022/23 season, but despite spending most of the year at the top of the table, they capitulated to Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, William Saliba, Leandro Trossard, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Aston Villa, Arsenal, Emirates Stadium, London, England, Premier League.
Mikel Arteta passing instructions to Arsenal players during their 2-0 loss to Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on April 14, 2024. Photo by Mike Hewitt.
Source: Getty Images

In the just-concluded season, they were in the title race for the second consecutive year, but again, City won a record-breaking fourth straight title, as noted by Sky Sports.

Arteta pinpoints where Arsenal lost title

Arteta is already preparing for a new season with Arsenal, but first, he analysed last season and pointed out where his side lost, in an interview with ESPN.

"The small margins, we have the game against [Aston] Villa, and when you look at the expected goals of what we generate just throughout the game, we should win it, but we don't," he said.

On April 14, the Gunners lost 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium to Villa, managed by former Arsenal boss, Unai Emery, with two late goals within four minutes of each other.

The loss put them behind City, and at that point, most fans lost hope. Even though the Gunners won their remaining games, Pep Guardiola's side emerged victorious.

The former Everton captain admitted that to win the title, their worst version had to be better than the best version of the opponent.

Arteta's promise to Arsenal fans

Sports Brief also previously reported on Arteta promising Arsenal fans a title victory as he believes they deserved more than finishing in second place.

He said this on the final day of the EPL season, with the Gunners beating Everton 2-1 but losing out because City beat West Ham United 3-1 concurrently.

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Elijah Odetokun photo
Elijah Odetokun
Elijah Odetokun is Reuters-trained journalist with three years of experience having previously worked at Daily Times Nigeria, OmaSports and El Futbolero.