![\"Mikel](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_GettyImages-2212078883.jpg\")
Mikel Arteta is still dreaming of Champions League glory.(Image: Nigel French\/Sportsphoto\/Allstar via Getty Images)<\/p>\nMikel Arteta was hurt that Liverpool became deserved Premier League champions instead of Arsenal but he insists it will not serve as added motivation next season<\/p>\n
22:30, 02 May 2025Updated 22:30, 02 May 2025<\/p>\n
Mikel Arteta is still dreaming of Champions League glory.(Image: Nigel French\/Sportsphoto\/Allstar via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Mikel Arteta said it hurt him \u201cbig time\u201d to watch Liverpool<\/a>\u2019s celebrations last weekend but the Arsenal<\/a> manager insists seeing Arne Slot<\/a>\u2019s men seal the title will not give him any additional motivation next season.<\/p>\n The Gunners can take a huge step towards confirming a third consecutive second-place finish if they beat Bournemouth<\/a> at the Emirates on Saturday evening.<\/p>\n And while they are still dreaming of Champions League<\/a> glory, Arteta admits witnessing Liverpool become \u201cdeserved\u201d champions has stung.<\/p>\n He observed a \u201clittle bit\u201d of their party at Anfield on TV before turning his attention elsewhere. And Arteta admitted: \u201cIt was in my tummy, yeah. I understand that it’s a team that is being more consistent and it has a lot of the ingredients that you need to win it, but it’s very painful, yeah.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Mikel Arteta makes Arsenal stance on William Saliba clear amid Real Madrid interest<\/a>READ MORE: Mikel Arteta confirms unexpected Arsenal injury boost before Bournemouth and PSG<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cMy motivations are much more focused in other aspects than that one but it hurts to watch it, that’s for sure. They’ve done it in a manner, in a way, that has given no chance to the others. You have to congratulate that as well and you have to accept that there are reasons why you haven’t been able to achieve it and try to improve.\u201d<\/p>\n Still, Arteta felt the need to point out that their comparatively light injury list has benefited Slot greatly even when the protracted speculation around Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah<\/a>\u2019s future could have served as a distraction. \u201cThe good thing is that they had them on the pitch all the time, which is something very positive,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n And that is something he feels Arsenal will require next season to bring a first league title in 22 years to north London.<\/p>\n The Gunners have had a significant list of absentees for much of the campaign and Arteta stressed: \u201cI’m not going to give you the title, but you have a much better chance (if players are fit).\u201d<\/p>\n Those injuries continue to affect the squad now and Arteta was reminded of that after the 1-0 first-leg defeat to PSG<\/a> when he came into the dressing room and saw seven absent stars sitting together. \u201cThat could have been a starting line up and we don\u2019t have them and we haven\u2019t for months,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n He is expected to make some changes today with holding midfielder Thomas Partey set to return having missed the first PSG game owing to suspension. \u201cHe is very important for us as a starter and is the player who has played most minutes in that position,\u201d Arteta said.<\/p>\n \u201cFor the biggest game of the season we didn\u2019t have him but I thought Declan (Rice) did a great job playing in there and we have other qualities in midfield so more options. Let\u2019s see how everybody is \u2013 we still have a few niggles and issues with a few players. We will assess the squad and we will decide.\u201d<\/p>\n Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n Sky Sports’ discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a343<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Thomas](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_GettyImages-2212613384.jpg\")
Thomas Partey watched on from the stands on Tuesday night(Image: Stuart MacFarlane\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1745298978_502_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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