Mikel Arteta has raised eyebrows with his explanation for Arsenal's lack of silverware, claiming that winning trophies is about "being in the right moment in the right place".
The Gunners boss made the comments ahead of his side's Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal are currently without a major trophy since 2020, with Arteta suggesting that timing, rather than performance, has been the decisive factor in their near misses.
Arteta pointed to Liverpool's Premier League triumph this season as evidence of his theory, noting that the Merseyside club have secured the title with fewer points than Arsenal accumulated in each of the past two campaigns.
Mikel Arteta insisted Liverpool have won the Premier League with less points than Arsenal before
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"Liverpool have won the title with less points than we have in the last two seasons," Arteta said.
The Arsenal manager suggested that with the points totals his side achieved in the previous two seasons, they would have won "two Premier Leagues" had the circumstances been different.
Arsenal finished as runners-up to Manchester City in 2023 with 84 points and again the following year with an impressive tally of 89.
Liverpool, who have already been crowned champions this season, currently sit on 82 points with three games remaining.
The Reds could potentially surpass Arsenal's points total from last season, though they currently trail the Gunners' achievements from the past two campaigns.
Arteta's side now find themselves 15 points behind Jurgen Klopp's men in the current Premier League standings.
Arsenal's focus now shifts to their Champions League campaign, where they face PSG in the semi-final second leg, trailing 1-0 from the first encounter.
"We are going to try and do it this season but winning trophies is about being in the right moment in the right place," Arteta said regarding their European ambitions.
Mikel Arteta has been looking to install a feel-good factor at Arsenal
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The Spaniard remains hopeful about their chances in Paris, adding: "Hopefully we will be in the right place in the right moment in Paris and earn that right to be in the final."
Arsenal have not won major silverware since lifting the FA Cup in Arteta's first season in charge in 2020.
The club has shown progress in European competition, however, reaching the Champions League quarter-finals last season.
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ReutersThis year, Arteta has guided the Gunners to their first semi-final in the competition since 2009.
Should Arsenal overcome PSG, Inter Milan await in the final after defeating Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate in the other semi-final tie.
The north London club will be hoping to end their trophy drought on the European stage.
