Following the end of the 2023-24 Premier League season last month, Arteta spoke of his ongoing dismay at failing to end a 20-year wait for the title when the campaign felt close to perfect.

Arsenal recorded 89 points, their best tally since getting 90 during the 2003-04 'Invincibles' campaign, and pushed Manchester City until the last last game of the season. It marked a second successive second place finish behind Pep Guardiola's side, but the race was much closer than 12 months earlier.

"It was a really exciting season, right up to the last minutes of the last day, especially when we were fighting for the Premier League," Arteta told CNN. So, I think we should be very proud of what we've done throughout the season – both in European competition and the Premier League. But, as well, the feeling of being disappointed and not having the Premier League in our hands, it is painful still.

"I'm a winner and it takes me a while when I don't reach the dreams. I think we have built so much excitement and belief around our fans, around our players and the club, that we really wanted to deliver that moment to the team. I think they deserve it, but you have to congratulate Manchester City – at the end, after 38 games, they had two points more than us and they are the winners.

"Not really [any regrets]. You look at moments in the season, but the season has been almost perfect to make the amount of points we did – both us and City, in this competitive league. We cannot compare this league to what happened five years ago, those numbers won’t happen. The level of the league is a different stage now. Again, now, recharge, try to be stronger, think where the margins are and go again next season."