Mikel Arteta desperate to close gap on top teams

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has declared that his side must aim to start next season stronger and close the gap on Manchester United.

The Gunners drew 1-1 with the new Premier League champions on Sunday but sit a whopping 21 points behind United in fourth place.

With the fight for Champions League places still in the balance Arteta has insisted that Arsenal have the nucleus of a side that can achieve much more in the next few years.

He told the club's official website: "I hope we can close the gap. Next season we have to improve on this current gap.

"They deserved it [the guard of honour], they won the league with four games to go so they deserved the clapping. When someone does the job you have to congratulate them. This is the respectful thing to do.

"You want to be in that situation where you walk on the pitch and the other teams show respect because you are the winners. Hopefully, along with our young players, we will have the chance to do it."

Arsene Wenger's side resume their fight for a top-four finish on Saturday against relegated Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.