Arteta finds stat which ‘proves’ Arsenal are "second or third best in league"
Mikel Arteta has called for his Arsenal stars to remain consistent for an entire season after claiming they were "the second or third best team in the Premier League" after December.
The Gunners rounded off what has been a disappointing campaign at home to Brighton on Sunday, when a brace from Nicolas Pepe earned them a 2-0 win over Graham Potter's men.
Despite the victory, Arsenal have missed out on European qualification for the first time in 25 years after finishing down in eighth, one point adrift of north London rivals Tottenham.
They have paid the price for getting off to a nightmare start in 2020/21, with eight defeats in their first 14 matches derailing their season by Christmas.
Arteta's men did well to pull themselves back into European contention in the second half of the campaign, but the Spaniard wants his side to produce all-year round next term.
“I think we had two seasons in the Premier League, one before December and one after where I think we are the second or third best team in the league," Arteta said after Sunday's win over Brighton.
"That’s the level that we can hit, we have done enough for six months and my first six months when I took charge as well they were very positive but now we need to do it for a year.
“I think we have to improve, me first, and let’s see what we can achieve."
While Arteta claims Arsenal were the second or third best team after December, a form table for all matches played in 2021 shows they were actually the fifth most successful Premier League side with 38 points from 21 games.
That tally was not enough to secure them Europa League football for next season, which Arteta admits is a major disappointment.
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"It is really sad, because last year – if you had 61 points you were fifth, and now you are eighth," he said.
"That is the step this league has taken, so we miss out, we gave it a go up until the last minute. We have improved a lot from last season but not enough."
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