Arteta Says Arsenal Would Be Champions Based on Points in Previous Seasons

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has jokingly suggested that his team deserved to win the Premier League in the past two seasons, pointing out that they had more points than current champions Liverpool achieved this year.

Arteta highlighted that while Liverpool have secured the title, their points total is lower than what Arsenal managed when finishing second behind Manchester City in the last two campaigns. With a smile, the 43-year-old said that based on points alone, Arsenal could have claimed two league titles.

Liverpool won the league with four matches to spare and currently stand at 82 points, with three games still to play. If they win all of their remaining fixtures, they can finish with a maximum of 91 points. Arsenal, by comparison, ended the 2022-23 season with 89 points and the 2021-22 season with 84.

Arsenal are now 15 points behind Liverpool and only three points ahead of third-placed Manchester City following a recent defeat against Bournemouth. They face Liverpool at Anfield this Sunday in what could be a key match for league positioning.

Before that, Arsenal will focus on their Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint Germain on Wednesday. They trail 1-0 on aggregate and must win to reach their first Champions League final since 2006. Arteta expressed confidence that his side can deliver when it matters, saying he hopes the team will be in the right place at the right time to earn their spot in the final.

The last major title Arsenal won was the FA Cup in 2020, during Arteta’s debut season as manager. However, the Spaniard has since led the club to its first Champions League semi-final appearance since 2009. Inter Milan awaits the winner of the Arsenal versus PSG tie after defeating Barcelona on aggregate in the other semi-final.