Tottenham win Europa League despite poor domestic form; Arteta offers respect but refuses rivalry comparisons.
In the aftermath of Tottenham Hotspur’s stunning Europa League victory, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has delivered a diplomatic and introspective response. While Spurs lifted the European trophy—despite sitting 17th in the Premier League table—Arteta chose not to stoke the North London rivalry.
> “Just congratulate them. They are champions, and when you get to that, you have to do a lot of things right,” Arteta said.
“They have gone through a season with obstacles and difficulties, and they managed a beautiful moment.”
When asked directly which North London side had the better season, Arteta avoided comparisons:
> “I don’t like to compare with other teams. I need to analyse my team. That’s my job.”
Context:
Spurs’ Europa League win guarantees them a Champions League spot, in stark contrast to their woeful Premier League campaign.
Arsenal, meanwhile, reached the Champions League semi-finals and finished strong domestically, but remain trophyless since 2020.
Arteta’s squad faced a tough UCL exit against PSG while battling injuries and limited squad depth.
Supporters React:
Some fans pointed out that Spurs’ win felt like a “fluke,” noting they had just 27% possession and 3 shots to Manchester United’s 16 in the final.
Arsenal fans emphasize the superiority of Champions League performance over a one-off Europa League win.
Many agree that this summer’s transfer window is pivotal, with sporting director Deco and Berta under pressure to strengthen the squad.
The Verdict:
Tottenham may have snatched a trophy and Champions League return via a back door, but Arteta remains focused on building Arsenal’s future, not chasing shadows. The message is clear: respect rivals, but rise
above them with vision, not envy.
