Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has downplayed the idea that the Premier League title race is merely a two-team competition between his side and Liverpool.
Arteta’s comments come after his team’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, a win that narrowed the gap between them and Liverpool to just four points. Despite the close proximity to the league leaders, Arteta remains cautious and insists that the title race is still wide open.
Liverpool, currently at the top of the table, saw their lead slightly reduced when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest earlier in the week.
However, the Reds still hold a game in hand over their rivals. Arsenal’s win over Tottenham has reignited their hopes of securing their first Premier League title in two decades, but Arteta is clear that other teams should not be overlooked.
“There are many teams in the hunt,” Arteta said in response to the suggestion that the title race is just between Arsenal and Liverpool.
“When you look at every game in the Premier League and the margins and how teams are winning football matches, it can go either way. In two or three weeks we could be talking about something different. We are still in January so it is going to be a long, long run.”
The Gunners now sit in second place, but they are far from alone in the race for the top spot. Arsenal’s fierce rivals, Chelsea, may have suffered a dip in form, leaving them 10 points behind Liverpool, but other teams like Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United are hot on the heels of the leading pack. Forest, for instance, are just two points behind Arsenal, while Newcastle’s recent form has also put them in the mix.
Arsenal’s next challenge is a home match against Aston Villa this Saturday. Arteta’s team will be hoping to build on their momentum from the midweek victory over Tottenham, which was a crucial result in their pursuit of the title.
Arteta acknowledged that the pressures of competing at the top level for an extended period can be tough but also highlighted the importance of enjoying the challenge.
“If you want to be fighting for the top trophies with the top teams for 11 months, like we have been doing for the last two-and-a-half years, you have to enjoy these moments, circumstances, or challenges and the pressure that comes with it because it’s the beauty of it,” Arteta said.
Despite the triumphs, Arteta admitted that the club’s ambitions for the season have been complicated by injuries. Arsenal are currently without key players like Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Jesus has been ruled out for the season due to a serious knee injury.
With Jesus’ absence, Arteta is left with only Kai Havertz as a recognized forward, and he confirmed that the club is actively exploring transfer options in January.
“We have more necessity now because of what happened in the last few weeks, and that’s obvious,” Arteta stated. “We are trying actively to find the best possible solution. We have to do what we think is right and what we can do as well.”
