Mikel Arteta felt our excellent 5-0 win against Wolves was just what our supporters deserved for all their support this campaign.
We thrilled the home crowd by playing some excellent football at times and cruised to victory thanks to a Granit Xhaka brace as well as goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Jakub Kivior.
After seeing us taste defeat in our last two games, Mikel admitted the players were desperate to end this run and give something back to everyone present in north London or following proceedings around the world over the last 10 months.
Speaking after the game, he said: “We wanted to finish the season in the best possible way, show the level of performance we have shown all season, win the game and entertain our home crowd. It was very emotional, really beautiful with the atmosphere outside and the connection you feel between the players and our supporters.
“You can tell how much this means to us. In the last two matches; the players were disappointed and we wanted to give something back. The team deserved it, our men deserved such a performance to end the season in style and maybe this is the first game of the next season. I’m happy with the way we played.”
The players made their traditional tour of honor with tens of thousands of supporters staying to show their appreciation for their efforts to bring Champions League football back to the Emirates Stadium next season.
The squad were serenaded long after playing full-time as they enjoyed some time on the pitch with their families, and Mikel is delighted with the way all parts of the club have come together during an incredible campaign, and after a well-deserved break he is keen to start turning his attention to 2023/24.
“I think together we have reconnected with the soul of our football club, which is our people, our supporters,” he said. “We did this in a really special way. We know that the goal is to bring success and trophies and we work every day to achieve this.
“We must not forget that the journey is beautiful. The company and people involved in this journey deserve to really enjoy it. I’m really proud to be a part of it and now we have to reset, think and move on again.”
“For me personally, I really need to get away, relax, think, think and see what’s the best way now to come back stronger and with a clear vision and feeling that we can go to a different level . Today, especially the way I am, I’m not able to do that, so I need to reset and have some time to think.
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