Arsenal’s head coach Mikel Arteta has refused to rule out his side’s Premier League title hopes, insisting they are ready to capitalize on any slip-up by leaders Liverpool.
The Reds are currently nine points ahead of the Gunners with both sides having played 18 games each, one lesser than other teams, and Arteta has sent a note of warning to the whole of England saying his team will not back down from the title race.
“It doesn’t depend on us,” Arteta said. “But we have to continue to be like a hammer, be there every day, every day. If someone wins all the matches then we congratulate them and go to the next season. If they don’t – and in history, it hasn’t happened – then we will be there.”
Arsenal prepare to face Brentford on New Years Day looking to close the gap between them and the leaders to six points, as they enter the second half of the campaign and the 47-year old believes the Gunners have made significant improvements from previous seasons.
“We’ve proved that already this season, I’m sure of that,” he said. “If this had happened last season – the number of games we’ve played with 10 men [after red cards], the injuries in the squad, for sure it would be difficult to be in the stages of the competitions we are in now.
So, for sure, the team has made another step. The team is evolving and adapting to new circumstances and now we have another one with more games with less players. So let’s face it”, he added.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
