With an eye on securing Champions League qualification, Arteta praised the players' incredible efforts
2025-05-18 01:54
Arsenal will face Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium in the 37th round of the 2024/25 Premier League, which will be Arsenal's last home game in the Premier League this season. Arteta said he hopes the team can secure a place in the Champions League and that the efforts made by the players in difficult circumstances are incredible.
In the last round of the Premier League, Arsenal was leading by 2 goals, but Martinelli and Merino scored, and finally tied 2-2 with Liverpool, who had already won the championship, at Anfield.
After achieving 1 win, 3 draws and 1 loss in the last 5 rounds, Arsenal is currently ranked 2nd in the standings with 68 points, 2 points ahead of Newcastle in 3rd place.
Arsenal manager Arteta said at a press conference, "Considering all the circumstances, the players' efforts are incredible. This is our last home game of the season, which is a special occasion in itself. This is our chance to secure qualification for the Champions League and lay a solid foundation for our second place. It is also an opportunity to thank all the fans again for their support during this wonderful season."
“The fans have been with us on every journey, in every stadium, away and at home. I think one of the best days of the season is to be able to say thank you to them and for them to say how they feel about the team.”
Arteta also stressed, "We want success more than anyone else, and this journey is meaningful when there is such support, such love and chemistry. This connection exists between the fans, players and staff, and they all love this club deeply. I think we have it all, but we also understand that we want much more than that."
In terms of the record of confrontation, Arsenal has only achieved 1 win and 4 losses in the last 5 matches against Newcastle.
Arteta said, “We need a wonderful game and we must be very efficient because we are very aware of Newcastle’s strength. We know the results of recent matches against them and we know that the outcome of the game is often a matter of millimeters. Especially against them, we must be very efficient to score goals.”
When asked whether striker Havertz will play, Arteta said, "We will make a decision. He has participated in some training in the past two days and looks good. But we still have to listen to the evaluation of the medical team and the team doctor to see if they will let him go, and whether Havertz feels ready to play for the team when needed."
"His efforts have been incredible and the medical team deserves great credit for their efforts over the past few months as both sides have been instrumental in motivating each other and advancing the recovery process."
In addition, Arteta added, “We all know how important Havertz is to the team, and he looks very good physically now. I think he has improved significantly in many physical indicators that are important for a striker, which gives him a better chance to play at his best. Everyone can see his changes, which is really impressive.”
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