Mikel Arteta has admitted that he is "still hurting" days after Arsenal's Europa League semi-final exit to Villarreal, stating that he still feels the weight of responsibility for their double-legged defeat.
The Gunners crashed out of continental football against the Spanish side, coached by former boss Unai Emery, on Thursday evening after they were held to a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium, dashing hopes of silverware and an all-English foursome in major European finals this term.
Though Arsenal can still qualify for either the Europa League or newly created Europa Conference League mathematically, they face an uphill battle to do so - and with the likelihood of no international club football for his side looming, Arteta acknowledged that it still weighs heavily upon him.