Arteta says Liverpool title win hurt ‘big time in my tummy’ | OneFootball

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said Liverpool’s title win hurt ‘big time’ after the Reds won the Premier League last weekend.

Liverpool were confirmed as champions after thrashing Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 at Anfield. Arsenal sit second in the table and are on course for a third consecutive campaign as Premier League runners-up.

Speaking ahead of facing Bournemouth this weekend, Arteta admitted Arsenal ‘haven’t achieved what we wanted’ in the Premier League this season.

Asked if Liverpool’s celebrations hurt, he said: “Big time. In my tummy. But I understand that it is a team that have been a lot more consistent.

“It is not that simplistic [that it was meant to be Arsenal’s year].

“We have so much to play for still in Champions League and Premier League and our focus is there.

“At the end of the season we have many weeks to reflect.”

Arsenal are seven points clear of sixth-placed Nottingham Forest with just four games to go, as the Gunners look to confirm Champions League qualification. Despite a looming Champions League semi-final second leg with Paris Saint-Germain, Arteta said it is important his side get over the line in the top-five race.

“The message is very clear. We have to earn the right to win the game tomorrow and be better than Bournemouth.

“The only thing we can control is our performances and emotional state. We haven’t achieved what we wanted.

“I will use this [time] to congratulate Liverpool with the manner they have done it. They have shown consistency and they deserved to win it.

“As a club in the last 10, 15 years, they have been there competing and winning those big trophies. They did it because they did a lot of things very well so they are deserved champions.”

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