On the top of everything, they will have to applaud others
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 11.05.25. | 12:48
Arsenal had high expectations this season, but it all came down to the fact that, as the coach himself says, they will have to pay tribute to the champion
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that his team will pay respect to newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool with a guard of honour before their match at Anfield this Sunday.
The Gunners had been the closest contenders to Liverpool this season but will enter the game 15 points adrift of Arne Slot's side, who clinched the title last month with four matches remaining.
"We will give Liverpool a guard of honour. They deserve it. They have been the better team, they have been the most consistent. That is the sport; when somebody is better, then you have to applaud and accept and try to reach that level."
🚨👏🏻 Mikel Arteta: “We will give Liverpool a guard of honour. They deserve it. They have been the better team, they have been the most consistent”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 9, 2025
“That is the sport, when somebody is better then you have to applaud and accept and try to reach that level”. pic.twitter.com/KWMblo5sZI
This gesture follows a similar one by Chelsea, who also paid tribute to Liverpool with a guard of honour at Stamford Bridge last weekend before securing a 3-1 victory over the champions.
While recognizing Liverpool's dominance in the league, Arteta reaffirmed his belief that Arsenal had been the standout team in this season's Champions League, even though they were eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals, losing both home and away.
"One hundred per cent. I'm watching it back, I'm watching all the statistics.And when you look at the important stats that normally give you the best platform to win football matches, it is crystal clear who was better."
Arteta: "I've watched it [PSG game] back, seen all the stats. We had the best stats and best goal difference in the semi-final so it is very clear.
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley) May 9, 2025
"But it is not about the winning probability, it's about making it happen and making it count." pic.twitter.com/ffKaURskRC
Arsenal's European run included a remarkable 7-1 away victory over PSV Eindhoven in the round of 16, followed by a dominant 5-1 aggregate win against 15-time champions Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
However, their journey came to an end on Wednesday with a 3-1 aggregate defeat to French giants PSG.
Arteta’s remarks have sparked criticism from some, including former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy, who described him as "deluded" for insisting that Arsenal had been the better team across both legs against PSG. PSG’s manager, Luis Enrique, also disagreed with Arteta's assessment.
Arsenal fans have to watch Chelsea, Tottenham and Man Utd in a European final and also give Liverpool a guard of honour pic.twitter.com/cN3YEG4LNi
— Janty (@CFC_Janty) May 8, 2025
After starting the season with high hopes of winning major trophies, Arsenal's focus for the remainder of the campaign has now shifted to securing a spot in next season’s Champions League. To do so, they must finish in the top five of the Premier League. As the weekend approaches, the Gunners sit in second place, six points clear of sixth-placed Nottingham Forest.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 36
Saturday
Fulham - Everton 1-3 (1-1)
/Jimenez 17 - Mykolenko 45+3, Keane 70, Beto 73/
Ipswich - Brentford 0-1 (0-1)
/Schade 18/
Southampton - Man. City 0-0
Wolverhampton - Brighton 0-2 (0-1)
/Welbeck 28 pen, Gruda 85/
Bournemouth - Aston Villa 0-1 (0-1)
/Watkins 45+6/
Sunday
14.00: (2.20) Newcastle (3.60) Chelsea (3.40)
16.15: (1.92) Man.Utd. (3.50) West Ham (4.00)
16.15: (1.35) Nott.Forest (4.90) Leicester (9.50)
16.15: (2.65) Tottenham (3.50) Crystal Palace (2.60)
18.30: (2.00) Liverpool (3.60) Arsenal (4.00)
***odds are subject to change***
