Frank Christian
The 2024/25 Premier League season has concluded, with Liverpool claiming the championship title. Arsenal secured the second position but struggled to compete effectively, finishing a hefty 17 points behind the winners.
In their final match, Mikel Arteta’s squad achieved victory against Southampton away, while Liverpool celebrated their title with a draw against Crystal Palace at Anfield.
Roy Keane, a football legend and commentator, unexpectedly commended Arsenal for their resilience after they came back from 2-0 down against Liverpool to earn a crucial 2-2 draw, even while playing with ten men in the 79th minute.
“Kudos to Arsenal; they faced harsh criticism towards the end of the season, yet they managed to fight back against Liverpool,” Keane remarked on the Stick to Football podcast. “They demonstrated determination and spirit.
“Liverpool seem to have relaxed—it’s frustrating to watch. Regardless of their league victory, the reserve players stepping in sends a poor message.
“I mean, come on—show some class! Salah is taking pictures after scoring against Tottenham Hotspur while the match is still in progress. They need to get energized!”
Although Keane expressed this opinion earlier, it echoed true as Liverpool barely managed to draw with Crystal Palace at home, thanks to a late goal from Mohamed Salah.
Since clinching the Premier League title, Liverpool has slowed down considerably. After a commanding victory over Tottenham, their form has dipped, resulting in four winless league matches. They drew with Arsenal and Palace at home and suffered defeats to Chelsea and Brighton away.
Arne Slot opted for player rotations during these concluding fixtures, granting chances to those on the periphery. However, the team lacked the drive and intensity that characterized their earlier performances post-title win.
Arteta’s thoughts after beating Southampton
Arsenal faced a challenging array of matches towards the season’s end, and despite missing out on the Premier League title and a place in the Champions League final, they still delivered commendable performances against Liverpool, followed by victories over Newcastle United and Southampton.
Arteta was eager to conclude the season successfully, emphasizing the importance of leaving on a high note before the off-season.
“I’m thrilled to finish with a win. We aimed to exit the dressing room with positive energy and good vibes,” Arteta stated. “We also bid farewell to several players who won’t return next season, which was quite emotional. They deserve recognition and positive farewells.
“We’ve accomplished our goals, and now we have ample time to reflect, evaluate the season’s events, and learn from them. We need to focus on the remarkable positives achieved despite the challenges and consider how we can close the gap to reach our aspirations.”
Arsenal is actively involved in the summer transfer window to enhance their squad as they strive to narrow the distance between themselves and Liverpool.
Updates and links related to Arsenal
- Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres shares brief message amid transfer rumors
- Mikel Arteta reveals four-player exit list in Arsenal’s summer squad news
- Arsenal receive a significant boost as Chelsea withdraw from the race to sign star winger
