With the season nearing its conclusion, Arsenal find themselves trailing newly crowned champions Liverpool by a significant 15-point margin.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that his team will pay tribute to newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool by giving them a guard of honour ahead of their clash at Anfield this Sunday.
While clubs have no obligation to give a guard of honour, the gesture has become a tradition in English football to acknowledge the league winners. Liverpool received a guard of honour last weekend from Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and Arteta’s side will follow suit in front of the Anfield crowd.
The Gunners have previously honoured Liverpool in similar fashion, having provided a guard of honour during the 2019–20 season after the Reds secured the title under Jurgen Klopp. That occasion also came under Arteta’s stewardship.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Friday, Arteta confirmed Arsenal’s plans,
“They deserve that. They’ve been the best team, they’ve been the most consistent, what Arne [Slot] and the coaching staff have done has been fascinating. It’s been really good and they fully deserve it. And that’s the sport, when somebody is better you have to applaud and accept and try to reach that level.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted that his side have “taken a step backwards” in the Premier League this season, following a campaign that has fallen well short of expectations.
After narrowly missing out on the title to Manchester City by just two points last year, Arsenal fans had high hopes from their team to mount another serious challenge. However, with the season nearing its conclusion, Arsenal find themselves trailing newly crowned champions Liverpool by a significant 15-point margin.
Reflecting on their campaign, Arteta said,
“In the Premier League we’ve gone a step backwards. With the points that we have created it is clear that we have not done as good as last season, and that’s obvious.”
“But with the amount of points that we have generated in the last few seasons, we could have won two Premier League titles. So you know how close we are. We are providing the numbers that win you titles.”
Arsenal also bowed out of the Champions League this week, losing 2-1 on Wednesday night and 3-1 on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain. The result ended the Gunners’ hopes of reaching their first Champions League final since 2006.
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