Mikel Arteta acknowledged the strengths of Aston Villa as **Arsenal**prepare to go to Villa Park.
The Gunners grabbed three points on their last trip to the ground in August 2024, but the men of Unai Emery have been a historical stumbling block, beating them twice in the 2023/24 campaign to deny top spot. Now, the Villans are in third position after failing to score in their first four Premier League fixtures or win any of their first five league outings. **Arsenal**must approach this battle with respect.
“For what they've been doing, the way they've been playing and winning matches, certainly it's a team that is in great form and we know that. We know obviously the manager and the incredible job he’s done there as well, so we know the task tomorrow, but we always take it as an opportunity.
“I think the collective threat that they have in terms of how they generate chances and what they do so well. Then obviously the quality that they have in front from different players.
“If continue where they are already, so if they continue what e they've been doing, I think any club, any team in that position has chances [of being title challengers] for sure.
*“I don't know. I think when you look at Unai Emery, his career, his motivation level, everywhere he’s had an impact, it's all been remarkable. So I don't know, [if he has extra motivation] is a question for him. But in my opinion, he never needs anything extra. I think he's good enough in himself.*
“Consistency, again, to perform at the highest level and win another game and then we'll go back to the same question, to the Champions League and then next weekend, because that's the nature of the game, and that's exactly how we have to take it every game.
“Every time you win a game, obviously, you are a little bit closer to your objective, and it's the only thing that we can do. We have to focus on performing, preparing really well for tomorrow, we know the kind of game that we're going to play and be ready for it to fulfil our potential.”