Mikel Arteta reveals why Arsenal season is one of his 'proudest' moments despite Liverpool title gap | OneFootball

Gunners boss believes his side have made huge progress this term as he hailed their reaction to adversity

Proud: Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal have taken “big strides” in their development this season

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Arsenal are currently sat second in the Premier League table and 11 points off leaders Liverpool, although they have a game in hand.

The Gunners are also into the last 16 of the Champions League, where they will face PSV Eindhoven in their first leg next week.

Arsenal have been hit hard by injuries this season and are currently without four forwards for Wednesday’s trip to Nottingham Forest.

They have also had five red cards in 26 league games and Arteta says the way his side have handled the challenges will stand them in good stead going forward.

“I think we have made big strides this season - big time,” he said. “Because we should be in a very different position with everything that has happened.

“Because there’s no team in Premier League history with five red cards and the amount of injuries we’ve had that were in the position that we are in today. [It] hasn’t been done.

“One of the most proud [I have been], because this could have gone… and there’s something that’s held it together. That foundation, culture, mentality and that’s what is holding it together.

“Everyone needs to analyse it at the end. It’s like everything, it needs context. You can see my kid crying and tell him to stop crying or I can give context as to why he’s crying.

“Because he’s sad, or because he’s banged his head against the furniture or because he just wants a chocolate. I have a very different reaction.

“You want to give no context to the situation, or give context. We have many examples in this Premier League season. Many clubs, you provide context and then look at where they are.

“We have to understand the circumstances that we had as well and we are still where we are.

“But I am not here to justify anything. We are here to win, that’s it, and to win the next game, and to win the previous 15 and the next 15, and to win the Champions League if we can. That’s the objective. That’s clear.”