In one of the episodes of Max 89.7 FM’s Sports Pack Show, pundit and Ghana Premier League summarizer Josiah Okoe Quaye insisted that despite Mikel Arteta’s achievement with Arsenal, his side still lacks pedigree when it comes to the UEFA Champions League.
Though some may agree with Josiah’s assertion, I bet to differ, looking at how far Mikel Arteta has brought this young Arsenal squad.
The Spanish international gaffer is doing something real special with this youthful North London side.
Yes, their quest for the English Premier League trophy appears to be over following the damaging 0-2 home defeat to former manager Unai Emery’s Aston Villa last weekend. Do not count them out just yet.
It is more disappointing to fans of the club and most football pundits after getting knocked out of the UEFA Champions League, considering their good form, to an under-performing Bayern Munich side, coached by Thomas Tuchel.
Mikel Arteta remains proud of how well his team is performing, especially when the club has not participated in the Champions League in the last 14 years.
“We haven’t played this competition for seven years and we haven’t been in this stage for 14 years,” he said. “There’s a reason for it.
“We want to do everything fast-forward, super-quick, in one season. I think we have the capacity and the quality to be in the semi-final because the margins are very small.
“Those margins are coming from something else that maybe we don’t have yet. We have to learn it.
“When you look historically, it took other clubs seven, eight or 10 years to do it. Today, that’s not going to make us feel better that’s for sure.”
The Gunners now turn their full attention to the Premier League with the “support and love” of their gaffer, hoping league leaders Manchester City would drop points.
“What I need to do is stand right next to them and give them support and our love and we have to pick it up because on Saturday we have a big, big game,” said Arteta.
“We are still playing for the Premier League. The Premier League is there and we really want it. We have to show now that we are capable of turning this around.”
Source: Ghana/MaxTV/Max89.7FM/max.com.gh/Michael Mensah Martey/
