Many of Arsenal’s critics have been forced into an awkward position after Mikel Arteta’s side got over the line to win the Premier League for the first time since 2004
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has confessed he was overly “harsh” on Arsenal this season. Earlier in the campaign, the ex-England international claimed Mikel Arteta’s side “do not deserve” to win the Premier League.
Despite the severe criticism from the former midfielder, the Gunners were crowned champions for the first time since 2004, after Bournemouth held Manchester City to a draw. Having surrendered some considerable advantages throughout the season, Arsenal concluded the campaign seven points ahead of City.
This Saturday, they could elevate a remarkable season into an historic one when they meet Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final. Anticipating that encounter, Scholes acknowledged numerous remarks about Arsenal had been excessively critical.
When Arsenal’s form deteriorated at the beginning of March, Scholes, on the Good, the Bad and the Football podcast, said: “Whoever wins the league, you said at the end of it they deserve it.
“None of them have convinced me that they should be Premier League champions. I don’t think they should give the trophy out this year. No one deserves it. Honestly, it’s not been great to watch.
“That is because they’ve been in really good positions over the years and not been able to get over the line. So now they’re in an incredible position. Now look, you’re not going to see free-flowing football. You’re not.
“Like I don’t think we’ve seen it all season from any team as I keep saying, but especially at this point, it’s how they get over the line that is the most important thing.”
Reflecting on those remarks, Scholes, appearing on the same podcast, commented: “It wasn’t the most entertaining, but when you look back, there was a lot of pressure from them to get over the line. They’ve done it in a different way and you can see that.
“It’s not easy to win the Premier League. I was a bit harsh and a bit tough, but the question now is can they go on and dominate English football.
“I think they will get better, they have the players to get better, they will still need to sign players, but getting over the line is so big, doing it for the first time.”
Arsenal’s focus will now shift to this Saturday’s clash with PSG in Budapest. The north Londoners have never lifted the Champions League throughout their entire history and will be competing in their first final since their defeat to Barcelona in the 2006 showpiece at the Stade de France.
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