LONDON — Arsenal had one clear message for Manchester City after just coming up short in the title race: we’re coming for you.
City finished two points above Arsenal to win the title on the final day, but this is an Arsenal team which secured their most wins (29), scored their most goals (91) in a Premier League season and had the best defense.
They are right there and aren’t going anywhere. Despite the disappointment the feeling swirling in the air is that this is just the start for Arsenal.
Change is in the air
After their 2-1 win on Championship Sunday there was positivity everyehwere. The fans applauded them off the pitch. Arsenal are heading quickly in one direction: up.
With plenty of Manchester City’s main men probably moving on in the next few years, plus the uncertainty over the Premier League charges and Pep Guardiola not going to stay forever, there is an opportunity coming up for Arsenal. Manchester City aren’t going to dominate like this for much longer. There is no way they can rebuild this squad without a few down years.
We spoke to Jurrien Timber after the game and he believed that Arsenal deserved to win the title and said it feels like this is just the start for Arsenal.
“I had a feeling we deserved this year to win it, to be fair. I think in a lot of aspects of the game, we were really good this season. But, let’s be honest, City are also great,” Timber said.
“Yeah, it definitely feels like that,” Timber added when asked about this just being the start. “You feel that this team is not finished yet. It’s a good feeling to have and it is a good place to be with these guys.
“Obviously you want to win prizes. You want to win something. So, that is the hunger that will always stay there and also after you win it. But, we need to win our first one still and until that time, we will be hungry for sure.”
This young Arsenal squad are still nowhere near their peak and have had all of this experience together and they have come so close already. There is a real opportunity for Arsenal in the coming years. They know it. With careful recruitment and building on this season, they are going to be City’s closest contenders over the next few seasons.
“Don’t be satisfied” is the message
Speaking on the pitch after the game, captain Martin Odegaard urged the fans to keep pushing the team forward and praised the way the players have changed the mentality: “We’ve changed the club. I think you all believe in us now.”
Speaking on the pitch after the game, Arteta praised everyone at Arsenal for believing in the project and which direction they’re heading in, but urged the fans to not be satisfied with finished second.
“All this is happening because you started believing, you started to be patient and started to understand what we tried to do. All the credit has to go to the players and the staff,” Arteta said. “Please keep pushing. Keep inspiring this team. Don’t be satisfied. We want much more than that and we’re going to get it.”
Speaking to fans outside the stadium before the game, they were all singing from exactly the same hymn sheet and issued this warning to Manchester City: “They need to watch their backs! We will improve again and again, like we’ve done every season under Arteta. We are coming.” That was the message over and over again.
Staff, players and fans all believe. They all have total faith this team is going in the right direction and is going to win something big soon.
Manchester City are the only object, and a magnificent football object, left in their way.
⚪️🔴🗣️ Wonderful to chat with HUGE Arsenal fans Mahlon Deans and Nakeira Westmass outside the Emirates before the game vs Everton!
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) May 19, 2024
WATCH LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/tzeXBmobr3
They share their percentage chance of #AFC winning the title & have a warning for Man City moving forward ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/1pToNYpZiW
🔴🗣️ Spoke to Arsenal fans Nathan and Dan outside the stadium. Dan thinks there’s a 30% chance Arsenal win title today. Nathan predicts a title win today or next season.
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) May 19, 2024
WATCH LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/tzeXBmobr3
Whatever happens today, #AFC fans hugely positive about the future ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/kxU9nd5DOn
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard in the matchday programme: “Anything can happen in football. We’ve seen stranger things happen before… If it’s not to be this year then I’m sure it’s going to be soon that we win something big.” #AFC pic.twitter.com/1rVJ1BZMi1
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) May 19, 2024
