Arsenal legend claims Arteta's 'LOSERS won't be remembered'

Tom Weber

Updated: 31 May 2024 15:08 BST
3 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit insists that history only remembers winners after the Gunners yet again missed out on glory.

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Mikel Arteta's side played like a well-oiled machine for most of the bygone season, but that still did not prove good enough to beat Man City to the Premier League title. For the second campaign running, Arsenal ultimately fell short despite playing some incredible football along the way.

In Europe too, the Gunners faltered, getting knocked out of the Champions League by an out-of-form Bayern Munich side, while domestic cup success also proved elusive. The only trophy Arsenal claimed in 2023/24 was the Community Shield.

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The Gunners are set for another summer of big transfers in a bid to finally close the gap and get the better of Pep Guardiola's all-conquering, record-breaking side. Indeed, according to Arsenal great Emmanuel Petit, Arteta and his men need tangible success or risk being forgotten by history.

© IMAGO - Pep Guardiola and Man City won their fourth successive Premier League title

Arteta's 'good losers'

Speaking to GFFN, the former midfielder spoke about his ex-club once again missing out on silverware. "I’m very pleased with Arteta’s work, very happy with the season, despite losing the title on the last day – we experienced that in 1999, losing the title on the last day having won the double the year before."

"So right now I can’t compare generations for the reason I gave – if you’re going to do so, then you need to compare everything that is comparable – that is to say, will this Arsenal team be remembered in 10 years’ time? There are often “beautiful losers” and this Arsenal are good losers but I’d rather they were good winners."

"The proof is that City have just won their fourth title in four seasons – it’s historic – we’ll remember them as probably the best team the Premier League has ever had. So in 20, 30, 50 years, people will remember them for that. But for this year, even though Arsenal have had a great season, I’m sorry, but in 10 years’ time, no one will remember them."