Mikel Arteta apologised to Arsenal’s fans after Sunday’s dismal home defeat against Brighton. It wasn’t really an apology over the result, but more over the fact that his side had failed to live up to the lofty expectations that their performances over the course of the season have helped create.
“I hate the feeling of letting people down,” he said. “That’s the biggest regret I have and I have to apologise for that.” Arsenal’s manager was visibly crestfallen after the game. When he sat in front of the press, it was as despondent as he had been all season, which is hardly surprising given what the defeat meant in terms of the title race.
Arteta knew it was all over and he couldn’t hide his disappointment. His young team had pushed Manchester City’s well-oiled winning machine all the way, but in the end they fell just short.
Mathematically of course it is not done. We will have to wait until next weekend for that. But it was telling that amid his disappointment, Arteta already seemed to be looking to next season and what needed to be done to build a squad that was better equipped to last the pace.