Arsenal’s boss, Mikel Arteta, maintains that his team is “still not there” in the Premier League title battle and that he could care less who wins Sunday’s match between Liverpool and Man City.
As the three-way race for the title heats up this weekend, the Gunners are one point behind second-place Man City and two behind leaders Liverpool.
If Arteta’s team defeats Brentford on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium, they will be able to temporarily take the top spot.
Arsenal would remain top on goal differential even if Liverpool and Man City drew.
However, Arteta isn’t ready to give up on Arsenal controlling the title just yet.
“We have no power over that. We just need to concentrate on our game, strive to win, and on Sunday, every fan should be able to enjoy a magnificent game,” Arteta told reporters on Thursday.
“I’ll enjoy watching two of the best teams in Europe while I sit there with my kids.”
If Arteta had a preference for the outcome at Anfield, he would not say.
Instead, following triumphs in the Premier League and League Cup at the Gtech Community Stadium, he instructed his team to concentrate on defeating Brentford for the third time this season.
He declared, “I have no preference (about the outcome) either privately or publicly because it has nothing to do with me.”
“We are aware of our demands. We are aware of the expectations Brentford has of us, as well as the reality that we haven’t arrived yet.
“We aim to surpass our current state of affairs. We must never stop improving.
Arteta is eager to put an end to Arsenal’s 20-year Premier League trophy drought after his team blew an eight-point lead to deliver City the championship the previous season.
He thinks that this time, the knowledge gained from that agonizing fall, might be vital.
He stated, “The team feels they have one or two more gears to go and wants to keep getting better.”
Experience plays a role. They are more familiar with the system and have played together more often.
With Arsenal winning seven straight league games in 2024, scoring 31 goals and allowing just three, all three title contenders are playing well.
They are the only team in the history of the English Premier League to score 30 goals or more in their opening seven fixtures of the season.
It’s excellent. It demonstrates the caliber and reliability, according to Arteta.
“I’m not giving up either; those two elements are excellent. It has great power.
After losses to Fulham and West Ham, Arsenal held a rejuvenating training camp in Dubai in January, which Arteta thinks played a major factor in the team’s recent success.
Before that, we went through an extremely trying time. We played a lot of games and suffered some losses,” he remarked.
“We needed the vacation to keep pushing ourselves and getting better. Everything made sense. It came at the ideal time for us.
David Raya will not be able to play for Arsenal against his parent club, therefore Aaron Ramsdale will take his spot in goal.
Following Raya’s transfer from Brentford last season, Ramsdale was demoted to backup goalkeeper, which reportedly infuriated the England international.
“He is eager to play and well-prepared. He stated that Saturday will be a wonderful day for him.
“He has been outstanding, incredibly encouraging, and diligent in his training every day.”
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