Why Mikel Arteta won't celebrate even if Arsenal beat Everton on final day

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has said that he won’t celebrate finishing second in the league, even if his team come out victorious against his former side Everton on the final day.

The Gunners go into the last Premier League game of the season knowing that they need to take all three points to keep their hopes of winning a first title in 20 years alive. If they do win, then eyes will turn to the Etihad Stadium with Arsenal needing Manchester City to drop points against West Ham.

If City win, then the trophy will remain at the Etihad Stadium regardless of the result at the Emirates Stadium. There therefore could be a scenario in which there is no celebration even if Arsenal do take all three points.

When asked if he would celebrate finishing second, given the progress of the club, Arteta gave a clear answer. The Arsenal boss also explained the reasoning behind his stance.

“Not to celebrate, I can’t celebrate coming second,” he told BBC Sport. “The people deserve a lot of recognition for how far we’ve come but after we have to be able to do it.

“You need that competitiveness, something else to drive the best out of you, raise your demands, and try to improve.”

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The race for the title has seen Arteta come up against his former mentor Pep Guardiola in the dugout. When making his way into coaching, the Arsenal boss was assistant manager at Man City and has revealed the biggest lesson he learned from his now rival.

“How hard you have to work regardless, then to maintain that will, that ambition, and that enthusiasm every single day,” he said. “Pep is extraordinary at that.”