Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal to ‘channel energy’ in right way with title in sight

Manager dismisses criticism from the ‘celebration police’ and is focused on ensuring his players take the final steps starting at West Ham on Sunday

A long row of team photos line the corridor that leads from the players’ entrance at the Emirates Stadium to the media area, each taken at the beginning of a new season and featuring any trophies won in the previous campaign. Updated every year, it currently dates back to 2002 when Arsène Wenger masterminded the Premier League and FA Cup double that saw Arsenal come from behind to see off Manchester United in the title race, with the photo of the famous Invincibles proudly on display the next but one along.

That represents the last time they were crowned champions – 22 years ago, the longest Arsenal have gone without winning a league title since they claimed their first of 13 in 1931, when Herbert Chapman was at the helm. Walk a bit further and you will see several more FA Cups, including the victory in Mikel Arteta’s first season after he took over from Unai Emery in December 2019, before the silverware on show abruptly ends. But after three successive runners-up finishes, Arsenal suddenly find themselves within touching distance of winning back the trophy they covet more than any other.

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