One of the most painful words is 'almost.'
Arsenal almost ended its 19-year Premier League drought, but it did not happen. The Gunners lost it to Manchester City in the last month of the competition.
Manager Mikel Arteta reveals thinking about such a collapse still haunts him.
"To this day, it still hurts me deep inside not to have won the Premier League after 10 months of fighting with City," he said, as quoted by BBC.
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He cannot help but rue the fact that the team dealt with injuries to key players right when they needed them.
"There were three or four injuries to important players, and from then on, everything got complicated, he explained.
"When we had the full team, we were consistent. As soon as problems came, it wasn't enough for us."
Preparing for the toughest Premier League season
The team has moved on, and they are now gearing up for what Arteta describes as a tough and tight race in the next Premier League season, which will open on the second week of August this year.
"Why? It already was last year. I've been here [England] for 22 years and I've never seen a competitive level like that," he explained.
"So much quality, so much organization, so many resources, so many good coaches."
To be able to compete, Arsenal have given Arteta the budget to buy players they needed in every position.
On the list of players he is prioritizing is England and West Ham United captain Declan Rice who Manchester City is also targeting.
The club is also being linked to Chelsea's Kai Havertz.
It remains to be seen whether these players will end up wearing Gunners' jerseys, but many believe Rice eyes Arsenal so that he will stay in London.
Related article: Declan Rice to Arsenal Gets a Huge Boost
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