Mikel Arteta admitted that Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain is still painful, but insists that the disappointment will push him and his players to greater success.
Arsenal reached the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years last season, but suffered heartbreak against Paris Saint-Germain, losing on penalties after a 1-1 draw in May.
Arteta, who signed a new four-year contract with Arsenal on Wednesday, has now spoken about the lasting impact of that defeat and his ambitions for the club.
Speaking to The Athletic, Arteta revealed that missing out on the biggest prize in European football remains a source of motivation.
The Spaniard referred to former Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger, who described the defeats as leaving scars in the coach’s heart.
“I still have the scar,” Arteta said.
“I still have that poison in my veins. It has to stay there because when you learn and it’s probably a huge motivation for me and everyone.”
Arteta outlines Arsenal’s ambitions after the new decade
Despite the disappointment, Arteta believes the experience can help his team as they try to compete for more major honours.
The 44-year-old has already led Arsenal to first place Premier League title 22 years ago, ending a long wait for domestic success.
However, he believes there is still a lot to achieve in the UAE.
“Globally, with our supporters? Great. How will we build the next three teams? Great. How will we change the rules of the game, and how will we stay at the forefront of that to benefit? Great,” he said.
“But this will happen if we take care every day of what we have built. We make it a little better, like software is being improved and upgraded. When it can stop, it is endless.
“It seems there is still a lot to do, and this is just the beginning.”
The Arsenal coach remembers the moment he knew the title was coming
Asked which game from his time in charge he would choose to experience again, Arteta picked Arsenal’s 1-0 win over West Ham during their title-winning campaign.
The controversial result brought the Gunners closer to securing the Premier League title and left Arteta convinced his side would finish the job.
“This is football that has risen to its best version, when the journey goes, the moment that can change the lives of a lot of people, one way or another,” he said.
“You just pray because you know that if things go wrong, they’ll probably be gone again.
“That day when I came home, I said, ‘We’re going to be champions. It’s our year. This happened for a reason, and we’re going to get it done.'”
Arsenal return to Premier League action on Saturday when they host Leeds in the opening match.
