Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal fans to stick with him in quest for silverware
Share:
Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal supporters to stick with him to help land the club’s first trophy in five years. A number of disgruntled fans headed for a premature exit at the Emirates Stadium during Arsenal’s midweek opening-leg defeat of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash against Newcastle.
The Gunners are still in the hunt for the Premier League – six points behind leaders Liverpool – and on course to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League. They also topped the Premier League table for the last calendar year, but their 2-0 loss to the Magpies dealt a major blow in their pursuit of landing a trophy this season.
Arsenal last celebrated silverware in 2020, when they saw off Chelsea to win the FA Cup. It remains the sole major triumph of Arteta’s reign in north London and the Spaniard – despite reversing the club’s fortunes since taking over – is under pressure to deliver.
On Sunday, the Gunners will welcome FA Cup holders Manchester United in a blockbuster third-round tie, and Arteta was asked how important it is that the club’s fanbase remain patient. “In my opinion it is crucial because the success that we have had is very, very related to the atmosphere and the energy that we have created amongst our supporters,” he said.
“We want to win the FA Cup. I don’t expect to get credit (for winning the FA Cup in 2020). I expect to get judged on what we do on the day. And what has happened in the past, in the future, it is not relevant. “When you are there competing on every front it is normal (to get criticised) because a lot of people want to support another club. If I look at what they say about Chelsea, Tottenham, or Liverpool, it is the same. There is no difference.”.
