Arteta implored fans to continue to support their team as loudly as they have at times this season. Photo: Getty Images/James Gill
They tried singing “Sweet Caroline” as well as the club's newly adopted pre-match anthem, although nothing did much to change the mood by the time the microphone was handed over to Mikel Arteta to sort it all out.
The Arsenal manager had just seen his team fight hard to win a game that at times seemed beyond their capabilities. They rode the wave of a lucky handball decision that even a VAR review couldn't change referee Michael Oliver's mind about. However, what started out as a joyful and hopeful day in north London had most of the joy sucked out of it by Manchester City's stubborn winning streak unfolding behind the scenes.
With instant foreboding, news of Phil Foden's goal 78 seconds later came through tens of thousands of goal updates. Faith has dried up. It ebbed and flowed after that, and there was even a moment when news of Mohamed Qudus' goal for West Ham seemed to be counted twice over. Supporters turned toward the press box with disbelief on their faces, holding up two fingers on each hand. Two-two? Not this time.
By the end they had achieved a victory that simply wasn't enough and so Arteta took to the stage initially looking as despondent as everyone else. His black suit matched what seemed to be a black mood as he took to the pitch in normal time to thank the referee for not spotting substitute Gabriel Jesus' handball in the build-up to Kai Havertz's winning goal.
< p>Arteta handled the moment well. His players worked hard after Takehiro Tomiyasu equalized shortly after Idrissa Gueye's free kick was saved. Arsenal had been feeling various shades of disappointment all day. Arteta thanked the fans and then again praised his players and staff for what they had achieved in moving closer to the title. He spoke of the patience and understanding shown as he rebuilt the team and sent them to chase the City team he once coached.
There will be time to “think and reflect,” he said. “Please keep pushing and keep inspiring the team,” he said. “Don’t be satisfied, because we want so much more and we will get it.”
"All this happened because you began to believe, you decided to be patient and understand what we were trying to do…"
Mikel Arteta is drowned out by the sea of support from Arsenal fans ❤️
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/pwMafNhUVe
— Football on TNT Sport (@footballontnt) May 19, 2024
The judge was good. Of course, now is not the time for tears or the harshness that Arteta can sometimes display when things don't go his way. The crowd cheered, the players knelt in appreciation, and were soon joined by their families and friends until the crowd became so crowded that it looked like a partial invasion of the field.
But the question remained: could Arsenal do it? Could they be unhappy about this? Or maybe this is as good as it gets? The usual route for runners-up is often the title, although there are no guarantees, as was the case with Newcastle United second in 1995–96, then again the following season and still awaiting their first title in Premier League.
No team has finished second more often in the Premier League era than Arsenal – this eighth second-place finish puts them one place ahead of Manchester United in this regard. Other years, such as Arsenal's three runners-up seasons from 1999 to 2001, were followed by two title-winning seasons for Arsenal. Another second place followed in 2003 before an unbeaten title-winning season 20 years earlier. But lately, the last high result under Arsene Wenger, second place in 2016 and second place last season, has not yet promised anything.
What does Arsenal need to deliver on Arteta's promise? City, of course, pose a huge challenge for Arteta's side. Kroenke's son Josh was on the field after the game with his representative on the board of directors, executive vice chairman Tim Lewis. The Kroenkes are not going to try to beat City in the transfer market, but in this era of biting profit and sustainability rules, that doesn't really matter.
Next season the Premier League matter should be decided. against City. What effect this may have is unknown, but Arsenal are best positioned to benefit from any points deduction that may be imposed on the champions.
Of course they need a goalscorer who can score over 20 goals, but everyone wants one of those. Perhaps Havertz, who is on the rise after a strong end to the season, can reach that mark, but Arsenal need someone who can do it season after season. No Arsenal striker has scored more Premier League goals than Jean-Philippe Mateta's late-season 16 against Crystal Palace. Seven clubs have players who have scored more Premier League goals this season than Bukayo Saka's 16. Manchester City have two in Erling Haaland and Foden.
Arsenal's options are well known, including Slovenian Benjamin Sesko, the next promising colt from the Red Bull stable. The difference at Arsenal is that they don't need a promising goalscorer like Rasmus Hoylund, they need someone who can make an immediate difference.
The 20 goal tally is blithely dismissed as a mere statistic. solution. This season only three players succeeded, and last season only three did so. Finding someone who can do this in one season is quite difficult. Finding someone who can do this season after season is a challenge that very few people face. Sesco may be the answer, but no one will ever know until the fee is paid.
Haaland certainly looked like the safest option, which is the privilege of those with means as well as prestige. Despite City's might, Arsenal have built a team capable of seeing the team through to the end of the season, but this latest step still feels gigantic.
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