Mikel Arteta has pledged to bring silverware back to Arsenal next season after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Newcastle confirmed the clubs return to Champions League football.
Declan Rice was the match-winner at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, firing home a superb second-half strike from the edge of the box to end Arsenal's five-game winless run and secure a top-five finish in the Premier League.
Although the Gunners are likely to end the season as runners-up for the third year running, many within the clubs fanbase see the campaign as a missed opportunity. Arsenal fell short in the title race, unable to keep up with champions Liverpool, and exited both the Champions League and the League Cup at the semi-final stage.
Arteta, whose only major trophy since taking charge remains the 2020 FA Cup, acknowledged the disappointment but struck a defiant tone when addressing supporters after the full-time whistle.
"We had a dream - to be here now or next week with big trophies to show you - but we couldn't do it, for many reasons," Arteta told the Emirates crowd. "But we must not lose sight of that dream. We need to keep chasing it with enthusiasm and belief next season."