Ian Wright has now told Arsenal what they ‘have got to’ do after the ‘disappointment’ of failing to win their first Premier League title in 20 years on the final day of 2023/24.
The Gunners ended the season just two points shy of the crown as Manchester City secured a fourth successive trophy. No club in Premier League history had ever won four titles on the bounce before. The Citizens have even lifted the title in six of the past seven campaigns, too.
Arsenal last won the top-flight title in 2003/04 as Arsene Wenger guided the Invincibles to a historic unbeaten season. The north London giants have since only managed to finish as the runner-up four times. Mikel Arteta oversaw back-to-back silver medals in the last two terms.
Ian Wright urges Arsenal fans to ‘let Mikel Arteta work’
A 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa in April left Arsenal asking for favours to win the Premier League title. But Manchester City did not lose again after a 1-0 loss at Aston Villa in December. The Citizens also drew four of their last 23 games whilst Arsenal lost four fixtures and drew two.
Highbury hero Wright is ‘proud’ of what Arsenal have shown under Mikel Arteta during the last two seasons, however. He sees the progress the Spaniard has built at Emirates Stadium to run Manchester City closest for the crown. Yet missing out on the title was disappointing.
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Now, Wright feels it is clear that Arsenal supporters must trust in the process and let Arteta continue his project. The Gunners icon believes in what the tactician is trying to orchestrate in north London having turned a struggling side into title contenders in back-to-back terms.
“Obviously, it’s a massive disappointment,” Wright told GQ. “[But] I’m so proud of this team and what they and Mikel have done in two years.
“It’s still a work in progress and yet we’re still challenging at the very highest level. We, as a fanbase, have got to just calm down and let this man work.”
Mikel Arteta has turned Arsenal into Premier League title contenders
Arsenal have made vast progress in the past two seasons after supporting Arteta’s vision for the north London team. The Gunners will now hope that he has set the right foundations to launch a successful title bid next season and, finally, knock Manchester City off their perch.
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A title bid was still a distant dream for Arsenal before the 2022/23 campaign after failing to qualify for the Champions League. Their late-season collapse in 2021/22 spurned a chance to finish in the top four for the first time since 2015/16. But Arteta rallied his side in 22/23.
Another late-season collapse in 22/23 ultimately cost Arsenal their shot to win the title. Yet the club backed Arteta to roll the dice again and their title fight went to the final day during 23/24. So, Wright is urging Arsenal to trust Arteta to go again to deliver the title in 2024/25.