Why second place isn't good enough for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta
Arsenal have exceeded all expectations this season, but will a second-place finish be enough after leading the title race for most of the campaign? Sadly, probably not.
They have pushed Manchester City – one of the best teams in Premier League history – all the way, but they can't be happy with just that, Arsenal shouldn't have the mindset that second place is good enough heading into the final few games of the season.
With their 2-0 victory over Newcastle United at St. James’ Park, Arsenal secured a top-two finish, but Mikel Arteta, to his credit, knows that that is not enough.
“We are still not satisfied, still upset and we want more,” he's admitted. “If we want the club to be consistently with the best, that’s the mentality we need.”
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As it stands, for many Arsenal's 2022/23 season will be remembered for the Gunners throwing away one of the biggest leads in Premier League history. And while that is harsh, is it true.
Arsenal were eight points clear at the top of the table in March, and they are now trailing defending champions Manchester City by one point.
The loss of an eight-point lead means it is historic in Premier League terms. Only Liverpool in 2019 (nine points clear), Manchester United in 1998 (11 points clear) and Newcastle in 1996 (12 points clear) have given up larger leads.
Arteta wants Arsenal to get out of the perpetual cycle of coming up short that they've been in since they last one the title back in 2004.
Since that triumph, the Gunners have been involved in numerous title battles in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2016, but each time they have come up short.
Now nearly 20 years since their last title, merely challenging can't be seen as being good enough for Arsenal.
Arsenal are a very different team from when Arteta first arrived - he has changed the mentality of the club from top to bottom. And because of that, nothing short of Premier League glory will do at the Emirates Stadium from here on out.