It’s 100% Zinchenko’s ‘fault’: Mikel Arteta picks out the moment that cost Arsenal the Premier League title

Mikel Arteta believes last month’s 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa was the turning point that ultimately cost Arsenal the Premier League title.

The Gunners were consigned to a second-place finish in the Premier League despite a 2-1 win over Everton on Sunday afternoon, as Manchester City secured a fourth straight championship with victory against West Ham United.

But despite suffering just five defeats in the Premier League all season, Arsenal missed the opportunity to move one point clear of Pep Guardiola’s at the summit on April 14 as goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins saw Aston Villa stun the Emirates.

Speaking after Sunday’s season finale, Arteta rued the chances his side missed on the afternoon and conceded that the result cost Arsenal a first Premier League title since 2004.

“For sure, Villa at home. In the first half it should have been 4-0,” said Arteta. “For what happened on Tuesday [Man City’s 2-0 win over Tottenham], maybe it could have been as well. These are the margins.”

However, Arteta was in no mood to dwell on Arsenal’s misery and instead praised his side for going toe-to-toe with Manchester City, who have now won six of the last seven Premier League titles.

“The staff and players have pushed every limit and every margin that we could to win the Premier League,” added Arteta. “Unfortunately it wasn’t enough.

“Congrats to City. It’s unbelievable what they’ve done since December. Every performance has been at the highest we’ve ever seen and still it wasn’t enough.”