Arsenal finally return to Premier League action this weekend, when they host Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta has officially signed his new contract tying him down until 2030, and he will be desperate to quickly right the wrongs of the Brighton defeat before the international break.
Arsenal currently sit three points behind Manchester City in the table, who obviously have a huge grey cloud hovering over them right now. Arteta will only be focused on his own team though, and Leeds, who haven’t lost a game yet this season under Daniel Farke, pose a difficult threat.
But these are the sorts of games champions are expected to win. Particularly if they want to retain the title — which is easier said than done.
Former Arsenal man Paul Merson has weighed in on Arteta’s contract extension, issuing a cautious warning to the Gunners boss.
Paul Merson says Mikel Arteta has to win the Premier League this season
Speaking on Sky Sports, the ‘Magic Man’ was asked what Arteta will be looking at next after signing his new deal. “I think he’s got to keep on winning the Premier League,” Merson said. “I think it’s so difficult to keep on winning it.
“You know, the easiest thing in the world is to get to the top because you’ve got that fight, you’ve got that desire. The hardest thing in the world is staying there, and you’ve got to stay there, and it’s hard.”
It’s true. Only three managers have ever retained the Premier League title — Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola. Arteta would join some truly esteemed company if he can achieve that feat this season.
But as the Brighton game perfectly encapsulated, the Gunners cannot afford to let even subconscious complacency creep in. Merson referenced that too.
“I didn’t foresee that result the other week against Brighton. I know Brighton are a decent team, but that was worrying for me, 3-0, because I need to watch them against Leeds United now to make sure that they have that fight. You can easily get to, ‘Oh, we’ve won the league, you know, we can chill now,’ and then you start losing games like that 3-0.”
Merson still expects Arsenal to win the league this season though. “I still think they’ve got to win the Premier League this year. I think they’re all geared up to win it, especially with everything going on at the moment. They’ve got the best squad, in my opinion. But yeah, just more and more good news for Arsenal that Arteta’s signed.”