Izuchukwu OkosiArsenal manager Mikel Arteta has opined that despite his team’s elimination in the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain, they remained the best team that qualified for the latter stages of the tournament.
The Gunners were beaten 1-0 and 2-0 in both legs of the semifinals fixtures in London and Paris and are set to go trophyless for the fifth consecutive season after conceding the Premier League title to Liverpool.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelArteta was quizzed on Friday at his press conference ahead of super Sunday’s clash against champions-elect Liverpool.
“It’s one of the saddest and proudest moment I’ve had as an Arsenal manager for many obvious reasons,”the Spaniard told the media.
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Speaking further on whether his team deserve to get one better and teach the final, Arteta agreed emphatically that should have been the case.
“100%. Watching it back, watching all the state. Best states best goal difference. But It’s about making it happen and making it count.
The former Arsenal captain then confirmed that his team will give a guard of honour to Liverpool when they face-off on Sunday.
“They deserve it. They’ve been the better team. What their coaching staff have done…and they fully deserve it and that’s sport.
“When someone’s better you have to respect that,” Arteta admitted rather ruefully.
The Liverpool versus Arsenal match day 36 game will kick off at 4.30pm on Sunday evening at Anfield.
Newcastle United would be the next Gunners’ opponents at the Emirates stadium while they round off their Eason at the Saint Mary’s stadium against Southampton.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
