"No one at the club will stand still" - Arsenal co-chairman makes promise to Mikel Arteta ahead of Premier League title decider

Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke has sent a promising message to Mikel Arteta and the fans ahead of the Gunners' Premier League clash against Everton. The American businessman has vowed to continue strengthening the club behind the scenes regardless of the result of the title race.

The Gunners are set to lock horns with Everton at the Emirates while Manchester City face West Ham United at the Etihad in title-deciding Premier League fixtures on Sunday, May 19.

Mikel Arteta's side are two points off the top and will hope Manchester City slip up to end their 20-year wait for a league title. However, Kroenke seems to have indicated that the Spaniard will be backed no matter the result.

Speaking ahead of the Premier League finale, Kroenke said (per the club's official website):

"While we are undoubtedly proud of the progress we have made, I want to be clear that no one at the club will stand still. However things finish today, we’re all working behind the scenes to move us forward – always forward – again."

He added:

"There is so much that we want to achieve, both at home and in Europe, and we are focused on writing some exciting new stories and chapters that build on the history of Arsenal Football Club."

Kroenke concluded:

"We know the team will give it their all today and we will be proud of the season we’ve lived together. But whatever happens, there are exciting things ahead for us all."

The Gunners have recorded 27 wins, five draws, and five losses in the English top tier this season.

"They will stay here for a long, long time" - Pep Guardiola backs Arsenal to continue challenging for titles under Mikel Arteta

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has lavished praise on Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. Guardiola believes his former assistant manager will continue challenging for titles for the foreseeable future.

Arteta left his role as Pep Guardiola's assistant at the Etihad and took the Arsenal job in December 2019. The Spaniard initially struggled in north London as the Gunners finished eighth in the table in his first two seasons in charge.

The club then saw an improvement in the 2021-22 campaign and secured a fifth-place finish before Arteta transformed them into title challengers. The Gunners were stationed at the top of the league for 248 days before conceding the title race to City last season.

This term, Arsenal once again have the chance to lift their long-awaited league title. Speaking ahead of Sunday's fixtures, Guardiola admitted that regardless of the result, the Gunners will remain title contenders for a long time. He said (via football.london):

"Whatever happens on Sunday if you don't start to be ready to compete again with them (Arsenal) they will take our position because I know Mikel, I know the team, Arsenal the institution, but I know Mikel, it's going to happen because he's a huge competitor.

"I have few certain things in my life. I wake up in the morning and I go to sleep at night, these things will happen for the rest of my life. The other certainty, with the age they have, with the manager they have and the way they were playing for the last two seasons, they will stay here for a long, long time, that's why we get the message."