Mikel Arteta admits he felt sad following the Euro 2024 final despite his country Spain winning the competition.
Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice started for England in the 2-1 defeat to Spain while goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was on the bench.
And despite speaking of his “pride” in Spain’s achievement, Arteta says he could not help feeling an element of sadness because of the disappointment of his own players.
“I’m extremely proud of my country and it was a great moment for us to win it again with this generation that had to really earn it in the last few years, to get that belief,” he said.
“And at the same time sad, because you love your players, and you want the best of them, and it was a tough moment for them.
“What they’ve (England) done in the last eight years, with Gareth (Southgate), is taken them to a different level. I think he’s made the team better. He’s made individuals better and obviously, the opposition, it was what it was in the final, but I think they have to be really proud of what they have done.”
Arteta also praised Saka for his role in helping England reach the final, including his bravery to step up and take a penalty in the quarter-final shoot-out with Switzerland having missed a crucial penalty against Italy in the final of Euro 2020 three years’ earlier.
Asked how he felt watching Saka step up, Arteta said: “I was very nervous, it plays back in your mind a few years ago and that moment, but he showed a lot of guts and determination and composure to take it the way he did.
“His role is constantly growing and evolving, he is a super important player for Arsenal and one of the main players for the national team.”
FEATURED IMAGE: Dan Mullan/Getty Images VIA ONE FOOTBALL
