How Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta reacted to Son Heung-min miss against Man City
Mikel Arteta has revealed that he watched his children react with dismay to Tottenham's Son Heung-min missing a key chance against Manchester City, in what could prove to be a crucial game in the Premier League title race for Arsenal.
The Gunners' boss was watching the game on the TV with his family on Tuesday night. Had Man City dropped points, it would have put the title in Arsenal's hands going into the final day of the season.
City went 1-0 up in the second half through Erling Haaland but Son had a golden chance to equalise. He was through one-on-one with substitute goalkeeper but saw his effort saved.
"My kids running around the table and going like this [head in hands]," Arteta revealed about the Son miss. "You can imagine. That is magic as well, to have the opportunity to be living it, next to your family and next to your colleagues. Being part of that."
Arteta reflected on the nature of sports and missed opportunities, saying: "If I had to pick a player in the Premier League for that moment, it probably would be him. Michael Jordan explained it many times, how many times he had the winning shot. It was always him. Sometimes yes, sometimes he did not manage to do it. This is the beauty of sport, as well. What can you do? "
Despite the disappointment, Arteta is looking ahead, focusing on Arsenal's own challenges: "The hope was there and it didn't happen. Now we have to do our job which is going to be tough because Everton are in a good moment.
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"It's one of the biggest weeks for sure for many of us. Certainly now is the most important moment. Can't wait for Sunday to be in front of us. Very optimistic for the possible outcome.
"So we have to prove again that we can be better than the opponent and win the game. We have to wish for the best and wish for West Ham to have a really good day and help us to fulfil our dream."
This will be the tenth season in which the Premier League has been decided on the final day and, in the nine previous occasions, the team which started top has ended up winning it. Despite the omens being against them, Arteta is refusing to give up hope.
"Jesus, we are in the last day of the season playing for the Premier League," he said. "The Premier League trophy hasn't been at the Emirates yet and it was built almost 20 years ago. That's a long, long time. We have to be very optimistic.
"The trophy is going to be there and it's possible we have to do our duties and then we wait and see what happens. If I don't believe today then imagine how much I could believe in August.
"Then from August with 38 games against Man City, with what they've done in the last 12 or 13 years and what we've done in the last 20 years in the Premier League, we have zero chance then. We can't start like this. We have to believe that's for sure. "
Arteta is hoping his former gaffer, David Moyes, can do Arsenal a massive favour when West Ham take on Manchester City. Reflecting on Moyes' influence, Arteta said: "He's been instrumental in my career.
"Not just as a footballer, but as a person as well. If he could help us to fulfil our dream and my personal dream to win the Premier League, that will be unbelievable and he'll always be in my memory that's for sure."