Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted he remains hopeful they can win the Premier League this season, even after watching Son Heung-min’s miss for Tottenham essentially take it away from them.
The Spanish boss has been speaking to the media in his homeland after being awarded The ‘Officer’s Cross of the Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic’, a Spanish civil order of honour awarded to individuals and institutions for services to Spain.
It’s the latest in a growing list of honours for the Arsenal boss, whose side remain locked in a battle with Manchester City for the Premier League title.
They’ve ensured that the battle will go to the final day of the season, with an impressive run of form in 2024 putting the pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side.
They have responded as they usually do, going on their own strong run to ensure it is they who sit top of the table heading into the final game of the season.
They required a win over Tottenham this week to ensure that was the case and eventually secured it thanks to a double from Erling Haaland.
Things could have been very different, though, with Son missing a glorious opportunity to level the scores when Tottenham were just 1-0 down.
Instead, he was denied by Stefan Ortega, leaving Tottenham defeated and Arsenal despairing as the title seemingly slipped away.
Like the rest of us, Arteta appears to have been watching from home but insists the moment was just another beautiful one in this title challenge.
“Last night also has a beautiful part, and that is to live the title in that way and to be until the last day, against the team we are facing and the history they have, fighting for it,” he said.
“It’s going to be a wonderful day on Sunday. It’s the first time since the Emirates Stadium was built that the Premier League will be there waiting for us, with red ribbons.
“If we win and they don’t win, it’s for us. That’s nice and it’s something to live for. There is always hope.
“If this has taught me anything, which I’ve lived through several times, it’s that first you have to do what you have to do, which is already a job, and from then on we’ll see what happens.”
