“It was fun while it lasted I’ll be leaving Arsenal and joining them on….” – Mikel Arteta reacts to Manchester City and opens door to Spain return

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Despite a setback, Mikel Arteta remains optimistic about Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League title this season. Manchester City’s recent 2-0 victory over Tottenham has given them a two-point lead at the top of the table, with only one match left to play. Nevertheless, Arteta believes his team can still emerge victorious.

Arsenal’s title hopes took a hit after City’s win on Tuesday night, leaving the Gunners needing to beat Everton and hoping City falters against West Ham. City faces a West Ham side that has struggled defensively on the road, conceding 43 goals this season. Only Luton Town and Sheffield United have conceded more away goals, and they have each played one more game.

For Arsenal to claim the title, they must win their match against Everton and rely on West Ham to at least draw with Manchester City. A draw for City would be enough for Arsenal to win the title due to their superior goal difference.

Despite the challenges, Arteta is focused on ensuring Arsenal does their part by securing a victory against Everton. Speaking at an event at the Spanish Embassy, where he received The Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic, Arteta expressed hope that his honor could be a positive sign. He remarked, “Maybe it’s the signal that we just needed, especially after what happened last night.”

Looking ahead to the final matchday, Arteta said, “We have a beautiful day ahead of us on Sunday and hopefully the magic can happen. We have to do our part and we know what we need in order to be champions, and let’s do that.”

In conversation with the Spanish media, Arteta highlighted the excitement of being in the title race until the final day. He noted, “This is the nice part, fighting for the title until the last day. It will be the first time that the Premier League trophy will be there waiting at the Emirates since it was built, with red ribbons on it, because if we win and they don’t, it’s ours.”

Arteta also addressed his future, acknowledging that while he is happy at Arsenal, he envisions a return to Spain someday. His current contract with Arsenal runs until the summer of 2025, and he has previously been linked with a move to manage Barcelona. He shared, “I have always thought that one day I will return. My home draws me a lot, our way of living, of getting together, the culture – and that means I always have it in my head. But I am happy here, happy with how they treat me, and I really enjoy my job. But someday I suppose it will come, I’m not going to be away for my whole life.”

Arteta’s optimism and commitment to Arsenal are clear as he navigates the final days of a thrilling Premier League season, while also keeping an eye on his long-term future in football management.