London, May 20
So close yet so far for Arsenal as they missed out on the Premier League crown for the second consecutive year. A loss or even a draw against West Ham for Manchester City in their final match of the season would have handed the Gunners their first Premier League title in 20 years. Instead, as City celebrate their record fourth successive Premier League title, Arsenal live to fight another day.
After their 2-1 victory over Everton, an emotional Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta spoke to the crowd about losing the race to the title: “All this is happening as you started believing, you started to be patient and started to understand what we tried to do. Please keep pushing, keep inspiring this team. Don’t be satisfied. We want much more than that and we’re going to get it.”
Speaking later, when he was asked how many points it would take to end City’s monopoly of the crown, Arteta said: “I was there when we did 100 points in 2017-18, so I know what it takes. I know what happened and this is the level required. But we’re on the right path, the right trajectory.
“When you look at the last 15 or 20 years of this league, the competition wasn’t like it is today and for sure 89 points you are champions. But now it is not enough. We are getting better and faster because someone is so good that you have to chase it. That is what makes you good as well.”
He added: “We cannot feel sorry for ourselves. We tried, we are improving. It was an unbelievable season again but we are not champions and that is the reality.”
Arsenal’s margin of victory against Everton would have been bigger but for chances missed. Takehiro Tomiyasu missed two early chances and Leandra Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli also squandered opportunities.
Everton too had chances. Dominic Calvert-Lewin hit the post and then drove the rebound into the side-netting. But it was Everton who took the lead in the 40th minute when a free-kick by Idrissa Gueye was deflected off Declan Rice’s head leaving David Raya, in the Arsenal goal, helpless.
Within three minutes of that, the Gunners were on level terms. Martin Odegaard neatly cut-back to Tomiyasu in the penalty area for him to drill his shot into the net. While the teams were on level terms at half-time, Arsenal knew that a win was paramount while fervently hoping West Ham would be able to prevent a City win, with both matches being played simultaneously.
Despite the pressure exerted upon Everton in the second half, they were proving to be a strong defensive side. They were disciplined and well-organised with Arsenal struggling to beat the defence until the 89th minute when Kai Havertz finally found the winner. It was, however, controversial as the ball went off Gabriel Jesus’ hand and despite checking the VAR the goal was not ruled out.
Everton manager, Sean Dyche fumed: “It was a really obvious one (handball). Funnily, in a title race, it goes the other way. But I’m really pleased how our mentality has got stronger as the season has gone on.”
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
