Mikel Arteta believes his Arsenal side should have two Premier League titles, given the standards they have achieved in recent seasons and the reality they have come up empty-handed has given the Gunners boss faith that his team can catch Liverpool.
Arteta’s Arsenal have spent the last two seasons competing with Manchester City, finishing with 84 and 89 points, but settling for runners-up medals on both occasions.
City are out of the picture this season, but Liverpool head into a crucial weekend at the top of the Premier League table with a six-point lead. Arsenal travel to Brighton on Saturday and Liverpool host Manchester United a day later United”. both matches are live. Sky Sports.
asked Sky Sports’ Nathalie Guedra on how to counter the hype that suggests Arsenal are a long way from the summit this season, Arteta replied: every day by paying attention to it.
“Because what can Liverpool do? Two years ago we had 50 points and then we couldn’t win the league. It’s so difficult.
“We’re only halfway through and already the amount we’ve spent weeks and weeks and weeks fighting for the title. It’s ridiculous.
“Because there are many games to play and in this championship it can be one, two, three (results) and everything has changed. We have to be ready.”
When asked what Arteta has learned from the last two seasons, he replied: “That you can always do better and you can always improve. With those numbers you usually win and we should have two Premier Leagues.
“The reality is that we’re not, so there’s more motivation, more energy, more enthusiasm to say, can we still look at our team and say we can be better? My answer is yes in every department, so let’s go for it.”
Arteta: Nwaneri wants to be the main character
Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri made an encouraging first start against Brentford in the Premier League
Whether Arsenal sign the striker at the end of this January transfer window could be crucial to the Gunners’ hopes of finishing top of the Premier League by the end of May.
The north Londoners’ need for extra firepower has been exacerbated by the long-term injury to Bukayo Sakai, whose hamstring will rule him out for more than two months before Christmas.
“It’s natural that it happens,” Arteta said of the constant questions of the transfer window at this time of year.
“There is an opportunity to improve the squad, to bring in players that you think can make an impact. We are always open to that.
“But that’s part of it. The main part is, how do we get more out of the team, out of the individuals we have, and focus there?”
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Paul Merson has urged his former club Arsenal to try to sign Newcastle’s Alexander Isak to add more goals to their Premier League title threat.
One of those stepping into the breach in Saka’s absence is Ethan Nwaneri, with the 17-year-old becoming Arsenal’s third-youngest starter in Premier League history when he started in the 3-1 comeback win over Brentford on New Year’s Day.
The teenager started on the right for Sakha and was instrumental in Arsenal’s third goal, and Arteta believes Nwaneri has the personality to play regularly for his side.
“The main thing is not to look at his birthday,” said Arteta. “It’s very important because when you start looking at his age there are always limitations and it’s not fair on the player.
“That’s what we see every day. how he trains and how he prepares, how his teammates look at him and how much they trust him. When a player is like this, the quality that he has. and the personality that he has to play, he needs a chance and he deserves it.
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gives the latest on Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling, Benjamin White and Takehiro Tomiyasu and the potential ins and outs of January transfers.
“Off the field, he’s very polite and quiet. On the field, give me the ball, I want to make things happen.”
Watch Brighton v Arsenal live on Sky Sports Premier League from 5.00pm kick-off 5.30pm
