Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has warned Liverpool that their lead at the top of the Premier League will be “extremely difficult” to maintain and believes his side can close the nine-point gap at the leaders.
Gunners go to West Ham, live Sky Sports’ Saturday Night Footballknowing they can temporarily reduce that deficit to six points before Liverpool host reigning champions Manchester City. Super Sunday.
If Arne Slott’s side win that game, the Reds will reaffirm or extend their current lead over the Gunners, as well as move 11 clear of Pep Guardiola’s side.
Sunday, December 1 at 3:30 p.m
Start: 16:00
Earlier this week, Slott urged caution against getting carried away by Liverpool’s lead, reminding everyone of how Arsenal had an eight-point lead two seasons ago but City fought back to win the title.
Meanwhile, Arteta, who has seen his Arsenal top the table and fail to win the title in the last two seasons, insists the Gunners are not out of the title race at this stage.
“We’ve been there and it’s extremely difficult to maintain it for 10 months,” Arteta said. “All of a sudden, when you think you have it, one day it collapses.
“It could be a result, through injuries or other types of decisions, and it could happen at any time, we have to be ready for that.
“But that’s something we can’t control. What we can control is our best.”
When asked if “Arsenal” can catch “Liverpool” this season, Arteta answered: “I really believe in my team, yes.”
“This is a long-term perspective”
Liverpool have responded well to the departure of Jurgen Klopp and the appointment of Slott as manager ahead of this weekend’s games.
As well as winning all five of their Champions League games this season, they have won 10 of their 12 Premier League matches.
Along with Nottingham Forest, Arsenal are one of two teams to deny Liverpool a win this season following a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium in October, and Arteta believes his side must be perfect. if the Reds maintain their current form.
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FREE TO VIEW. Important moments from the Premier League match between “Southampton” and “Liverpool”.
“If they go on, it definitely is, with the numbers they’ve produced and the number of games they’ve won,” Arteta added.
“The focus is on us to maintain consistency, especially the performances that will give us the right to win games, to maintain availability in the team. This is a long-term perspective.
“The win boosts our energy and our confidence. We’ve got two big wins for us and now it’s about consistency and getting that momentum going against a good opponent (West Ham) and try to win the game again.”
Saturday, November 30 at 5:00 p.m
Start: 17:30
“Manchester City” deserved to win every lost game.
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Arteta discussed this weekend’s Premier League leader Liverpool-Manchester City match.
Arteta also spoke about Manchester City’s title hopes, suggesting Guardiola’s side are not out of contention due to recent performances.
Reigning champions City are winless in their last six games, a run that included five straight defeats before blowing a three-goal lead against Feyenoord on Wednesday night.
Guardiola’s City also have a poor injury record, with key midfielder Rodri out for the season and Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Docu, John Stones, Oscar Bob, Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish all struggling with recent fitness issues.
Even with those injuries, they deserved to win every game,” Arteta said about City. “If you look at their stats and what they do, they’ve always been better than the opposition.
“This is football, you deserve it and you don’t win, but there’s a reason for that.”
Watch West Ham v Arsenal on Saturday as well as Liverpool v Manchester City on Super Sunday live on Sky Sports in an important weekend of Premier League title football.
