Following Saturday’s heartbreaking penalty shoot-out loss to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in Budapest, Arsenal is planning not only to return swiftly but also to finally secure the trophy for themselves.
Having clinched the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years, Mikel Arteta and his squad have demonstrated their return to the elite ranks, yet the clash with the new back-to-back European champions revealed major areas for improvement.
Coach Arteta further mentioned that his team can overcome their struggles after suffering a fifth consecutive defeat in a European final, provided they evolve both wisely and smoothly.
“We aim to reach a higher level and must demonstrate that ambition because we are fully capable of achieving it, but it will require us to be extremely ambitious, very quick, and very intelligent,” stated the team manager.
Arteta and his players had to walk past the trophy their club has yet to win, collecting their runner-up medals at the Puskas Arena with heavy hearts.
Missed penalties from Eberechi Eze and Gabriel following a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes dashed their hopes of creating a new chapter in the team’s history.
“What they can do with the ball, through individual actions, I haven’t seen before,” commented the coach, suggesting that his own team should strengthen during the summer if they wish to challenge Europe’s leading force.
Arteta noted that many of his players were not in the right condition after a demanding season, where he frequently depended on a limited group of players.
On the other hand, thousands of Arsenal fans set aside their disappointment over the PSG loss on Sunday as the club celebrated its first Premier League title since 2004 with a parade in London.
