Kai Havertz makes a pledge to Arsenal fans following the final day title disappointment.
A disappointed Kai Havertz promised supporters that Arsenal would be a stronger team next season and would fight for the title again after being confirmed as runners-up on Sunday.
Despite a final day victory over Everton, Arsenal finished three points behind champions Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side secured the Premier League title with a 3-1 win over West Ham after overtaking Arsenal with a midweek win over Tottenham.
This marks the second consecutive season Mikel Arteta’s team has finished second, hoping to go one better. Arsenal recorded 89 points this season, which would have won the title last year, and set a club record with 27 Premier League victories.
Havertz, who joined Arsenal last summer for £65 million, feels the team deserved more. The German international acknowledged the unfairness in football but promised that the team would come back stronger next season.
Havertz told TNT Sports: “I feel sorry for all the Arsenal fans. We gave our best but it wasn’t enough. Maybe in a few months, we can say, ‘It was a good fight’, but right now I feel like we deserved more. We go again next year. Sometimes it’s not fair in football, but we have to accept it. Hopefully, we can give the Arsenal fans what they need next year. It’s frustrating, but I can tell them next year we’re going to be an even better team and we’re going to give everything again.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta echoed Havertz’s sentiments in an end-of-season speech, urging everyone associated with the club not to be satisfied and to keep pushing for more. “All this is happening because you started believing, being patient, and understanding what we tried to do,” he said. “All the credit goes to the players and the staff. Now it’s time to have a break, think, and reflect. Please, keep pushing and inspiring this team. Don’t be satisfied. We want much more and we’re going to get it.”