Mikel Arteta has responded to criticism from the so-called “celebration police” regarding Arsenal’s exuberant reaction to reaching the Champions League Final.
The Gunners secured a 1-0 victory over Atlético Madrid on Tuesday, advancing with a 2-1 aggregate win in their semi-final match. This victory sets them up for a final showdown against defending champions Paris Saint-Germain on May 30 in Budapest.
The win sparked jubilant celebrations at the Emirates Stadium, with manager Mikel Arteta dancing on the pitch while his players linked arms and ran toward fans at both ends following the club’s first final appearance in two decades.
Despite the joy, Arsenal faced criticism from some observers, questioning their celebrations since they have yet to clinch a trophy.
Former England captain Wayne Rooney labeled the celebrations as “a little bit too much,” while ex-Arsenal striker Ian Wright cautioned that “the celebration police will be out in force” and encouraged fans to “not get nicked.”
When asked for his thoughts on the criticism, Arteta stated on Friday: “First of all, I wasn’t aware of it, but it doesn’t matter. I believe that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I categorize them where they belong. It’s not something I consider to be significant.”
“I assume that the feedback encompasses both positive and negative aspects. I prefer to focus on the positive, as it ultimately helps us improve.”
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“To strive for higher standards and performance levels that allow us to compete in Europe’s two most prestigious competitions, we must be ready for such scrutiny. It certainly contributes to our improvement.”
Arsenal has the chance to take a significant step towards their first Premier League title since 2004 when they face relegation-threatened West Ham on Sunday.
Manchester City will play Brentford on Saturday, and could reduce the gap at the top of the table to two points by the time Arsenal kicks off at the London Stadium.
“Understanding the context of the match for both teams is crucial,” Arteta said. “We are aware of the process and know exactly what we must do to win the game.
“It’s important to remain focused, savor the moment, prepare, and demonstrate the same level of energy, passion, and determination that we’ve shown throughout the season, or even more.
“As we get closer, every action we take will be critical to our success.”
Mikel Merino (foot) and Jurriën Timber (groin) will both miss the match against West Ham as they continue their recovery from injuries.