Arsenal Mikel Arteta
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has cautioned Liverpool that their commanding eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League will be difficult to sustain as the season progresses.
Under Arne Slot, Liverpool have made a blistering start to the campaign, securing 10 wins from their first 12 matches. Their impressive form has placed them eight points ahead of second-placed Manchester City and nine clear of fourth-placed Arsenal, who are level on points with Chelsea in third.
Liverpool have an opportunity to extend their lead this weekend when they host Manchester City at Anfield. However, Slot has already reminded his squad of Arsenal’s title collapse in March 2023, when the Gunners relinquished an eight-point lead to City in the final months of the season.
Speaking on whether Arsenal can close the gap on Liverpool, Arteta shared his perspective.
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“Well, yes, we’ve been there,” Arteta said. “To sustain [a lead] for ten months is extremely difficult. Everything has to go your way. And sadly, when you think you have it, one day, plop, it collapses.
Gabriel Martinelli against Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate (Image credit: Getty Images)
“It could be through a result, injuries, or other decisions—it can happen at any moment. We have to be ready for that. But again, it’s something we don’t control. What we can control is what we do, and we have to do that to the best of our ability.”
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When asked if Arsenal are well-positioned to catch Liverpool, Arteta expressed confidence in his squad. “I really believe in my team, yes,” he said.
Arteta also dismissed any doubts about Manchester City’s quality, despite their current deficit in the table.
“No, because even with those injuries, they deserve to win every game. It’s simple,” he said. “You look at all the stats and everything they do—they’re always better than the opposition. They deserve to win the games. This is football. They deserve it. If they don’t win, okay, it’s for a reason.”
With Liverpool flying high, Arteta and Arsenal remain focused on keeping the pressure on as the title race heats up.
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