Arteta's Reflections on Arsenal's Title Challenge and Overcoming Hurdles

Introduction

Mikel Arteta, the Head Coach of Arsenal FC, recently shared his feelings of disappointment after Arsenal narrowly missed out on the Premier League title to Manchester City. In an interview ahead of Arsenal's Premier League fixture against Newcastle, Arteta discussed the impact of falling short and the lessons he learned from the experience.

Arsenal's Title Challenge

Last season, Arsenal held the top position in the Premier League table for an impressive 248 days, setting a record for a team that did not go on to win the title. Their pursuit of a first domestic crown since 2003/04 was ultimately derailed by a series of setbacks. Three consecutive draws followed by a 4-1 defeat to Manchester City allowed their rivals to overtake them. Subsequent defeats to Brighton and Nottingham Forest ended Arsenal's hopes of clinching the title.

Arteta's Reflections

Speaking on 'Moments That Made Me' for TNT Sports, Arteta expressed his disappointment and discussed the key learnings from the experience. He emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and fitness during the crucial months of March and April. Arteta acknowledged that certain key factors were missed, preventing Arsenal from achieving their goal. He also highlighted the fine margins in sports, where even performing well may not be enough if someone else performs slightly better.

Progress and Overcoming Hurdles

Despite missing out on the Premier League title, Arsenal showed progress after finishing fifth in the previous season. However, they faced a significant challenge in overcoming Manchester City, who had dominated their head-to-head encounters. Arsenal managed to break the streak with a penalty shoot-out victory in the Community Shield, which boosted their confidence. Finally, in a league game last October, Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory over Manchester City, ending their long-standing drought against the formidable opponents.

How to Watch Arsenal v Newcastle United

To watch the upcoming match between Arsenal and Newcastle United, viewers can tune in to TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate. Coverage will begin at 19:00 on Saturday, February 24, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00. TNT Sports is available on major TV platforms, including discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media. Additionally, the Pub Finder tool can help locate local establishments showing TNT Sports.