‘Excuses Are for Teams Who Don’t Win’ – Arne Slot Throws Shade After Liverpool Clinch Premier League Title

Liverpool Boss Appears to Take Aim at Mikel Arteta and Arsenal’s Post-Title Race Rhetoric

In a Premier League season that once again delivered drama, heartbreak, and celebration in equal measure, Liverpool have emerged as champions of England — for the 20th time. But even as the red confetti settles over Anfield, a new story is beginning to unfold: one not of triumph, but of tension between two managerial minds.

Arne Slot, the man tasked with filling Jurgen Klopp’s massive boots, didn’t just deliver silverware in his first season at the helm. He also delivered a sharp message to the rest of the league — and perhaps specifically to Mikel Arteta and Arsenal — by declaring: “Excuses are for teams who don’t win.”

Arsenal’s Third Title Heartbreak in a Row

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To understand the full weight of Slot’s words, you have to look at the context. Arsenal, for the third season in succession, have fallen just short in the title race. And for the third time, explanations followed swiftly from north London.

Arteta has pointed to untimely injuries, controversial refereeing decisions, fixture congestion, and even VAR inconsistency as reasons why his side couldn’t close the gap on Liverpool. It’s not that these reasons aren’t valid — anyone who follows football knows the fine margins that determine success at the top level. But Slot, it seems, is having none of it.

What Arne Slot Really Said

Speaking to BBC Sport following Liverpool’s league-sealing 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur on Matchday 34, Slot was asked about the challenges of taking over from a legend like Klopp, managing without flashy signings, and inheriting a squad many believed had already peaked.

His answer was laced with competitive fire and more than a hint of managerial mind games.

“All these excuses you could give to Liverpool… with us maybe not spending… or not bringing new players in, or taking over from someone,” Slot said. “All these things are excuses for teams that don’t win the league, and it’s nice that if you have all these excuses, that you don’t have to use them — because you just won it.”

There’s no mention of Arteta directly. But the inference? Crystal clear.

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Premier League Title Race: A Tale of Two Philosophies

Throughout the season, both Arsenal and Liverpool showcased their strengths. Arsenal played structured, aggressive football built around a young, disciplined squad. Liverpool were more dynamic, more improvisational, but also more ruthless in the moments that counted.

In the final third of the campaign, Arsenal slipped. A narrow defeat to Manchester City, a frustrating draw against Aston Villa, and dropped points at home to West Ham cost them dearly. Meanwhile, Slot’s Liverpool kept grinding out results — even when performances dipped — until the title was mathematically secured.

Arsenal did manage a 1-1 draw against Liverpool late in the season, but by then, the damage was done.

Is Arne Slot Right About Excuses?

Slot’s comments are, in many ways, a classic winner’s privilege. When you lift the trophy, you write the narrative. But is he right?

There’s merit to what he says. The Premier League doesn’t reward context. It rewards results. No one remembers how many injuries a team had or how unfair a penalty decision was — at least not in the long term. What fans remember is the standings, the celebrations, and the winners’ medals.

That said, football is rarely so black and white. Arsenal’s squad was stretched thin at crucial times. Key players like Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey, and Gabriel Jesus missed matches at vital junctures. The depth simply wasn’t there — and that’s not always a matter of making excuses, but acknowledging limitations.

Still, Slot’s point stands. Champions don’t dwell. They adapt, overcome, and win.

Mikel Arteta’s Response — And the Arsenal Fan Divide

While Arteta hasn’t directly responded to Slot’s comments, his tone throughout the closing weeks of the season suggests he’s aware of the perception. In multiple press conferences, the Spaniard emphasized “margins” and the “fine details” of top-level football — perhaps too often for some supporters’ liking.

Among Arsenal fans, the reaction has been mixed. Some are fiercely loyal, praising Arteta for elevating the team to consistent title contention after years of mediocrity. Others, however, are growing restless. Being “close” is no longer enough.

Slot’s jab might sting more because it reflects what some Gooners are already thinking: at what point do excuses become a shield for failure?

Liverpool’s Not-So-Perfect Season

Let’s not pretend that Slot’s Liverpool side was flawless. They were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid in the Round of 16. They stumbled in the Carabao Cup final, losing to Newcastle United. They crashed out of the FA Cup with a second-string side that lacked energy and focus.

But none of that matters — not now. Because when it came to the league, the prize that matters most, they got the job done.

Slot didn’t try to cover those other shortcomings with excuses. He simply acknowledged them, then moved on. That in itself sends a message.

What’s Next for Arsenal and Liverpool?

For Arteta and Arsenal, this summer will be crucial. Do they double down on their current project? Or do they accept that being “nearly men” isn’t enough, and make bold changes?

There’s talk of significant reinforcements — a new striker, more midfield depth, and perhaps even a goalkeeper shake-up. But above all, what Arsenal need is the mentality shift that Slot champions. No more “what ifs.” Just wins.

For Slot, the pressure now truly begins. He’s no longer the guy succeeding Klopp — he’s the man who just won the league. Expectations will rise. The Champions League, in particular, will be the new frontier. Can he take Liverpool back to the European summit?

And perhaps most intriguingly, will this simmering rivalry with Arteta evolve into the Premier League’s next great managerial duel?

Final Thoughts: Mind Games and Mentality

Arne Slot’s message isn’t just a dig — it’s a declaration. In the modern game, where narratives can dominate more than numbers, his words cut through with a brutal simplicity: win, or don’t talk.

Whether you’re an Arsenal fan, a Liverpool supporter, or just a neutral who loves the chaos of the Premier League, one thing is clear — this rivalry is heating up, and it’s no longer just about what happens on the pitch.

In a league full of elite managers, the psychological edge is just as valuable as tactical nous. And with one comment, Slot may have gained an early lead in the battle for next season.