Mikel Arteta still had his eyes at the end of the end of Arsenal's trophy drought after sealing Champions League football next season with a 1-0 win over Newcastle United on Sunday.
Declan Rice's stunning 55th -minute strike all three points for the Gunners, which now guaranteed second in the Premier League for a third consecutive season.
But in general it has been an overwhelming season for Arsenal, who are 12 points behind the Liverpool leaders, who will travel to Brighton on Monday.
The Arteta team had looked at silverware this season, after he closed Manchester City in the Premier League last season, but eventually fell short at the crucial moments in the competition.
The Gunners also left the FA Cup in the third round to Manchester United, while they also lost more than two legs of Newcastle in their EFL Cup semi -final tie.
However, they impressed the Champions League and reached the last four of the competition before she lost to Paris Saint-Germain.
Strong ends at home pic.twitter.com/7WL7D1BDVZ
– Arsenal (@ARSENAL) May 18, 2025
Arteta has won only one big trophy since he took over the leadership over Arsenal in 2019, which led the club to the FA Cup, although he also has two community shields to his name.
And even though he was again short of this season, the Spaniard did not give up with the lifting of silverware with the Gunners.
“We had a clear dream to deliver a trophy to our people this season. Unfortunately we did not do it and understood the circumstances we have experienced,” said Arteta.
“But you have to make sure that haunting a dream do not confuse you and allow you to see all the incredible things that this team does.
“I have seen teams like 8th, 10th, 16th ending when they have smaller problems than what we have, so you have to recognize that.
“Every day I see the problems we have had and the problems during the season. Today we still had three problems.
“It has not been for 10 months for weeks, but we have not collapsed – the mindset is so ingrained and it will not collapse.”
Arteta also took the time to praise match winner rice, whose sensational curly effort found the left corner of just outside the area.
Rice's strike was his 19th goal -oriented involvement in all competitions this season (nine goals, 10 assists), where only Bukayo Saka (25) had more control over this period for Arsenal.
“Especially in the last part of the season he is exceptional,” said Arteta.
“He wins competitions, scores goals, statistics better than last season and still has a huge space for improvement.”