Mikel Arteta accepts goal difference could be key for his Arsenal side in their bid to claim a long-awaited Premier League title.
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Following Manchester City’s midweek win over Crystal Palace, the Gunners can no longer mathematically win the league with a victory over Burnley on Monday night.
But three points will certainly go a long way for Arteta’s side, who remain two points clear of City with just two games remaining.
As it stands, City’s goal difference is one better than Arsenal’s, and that could also be a determining factor to where the trophy goes at the end of the season.
With that in mind, it’s been suggested the Gunners need to rack up as many goals as possible when they face the already-relegated Clarets at the Emirates.
“First of all, you have to earn the right to win the game,” Arteta said.
“You can make a difference with more goals, that’s obviously even better. But we’re all playing very tough matches.
Arteta's Arsenal side remain in the driving seat for the title (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)placeholder image
Arteta's Arsenal side remain in the driving seat for the title (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
“We had a tough match against West Ham and we managed to win it. It was a great feeling, but we know ideally that scoring goals is going to be important.
“I think it’s part of the narrative. There are various options and this could be one of those. It’s a factor that is important from the start of the season.
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“We know that the difference is so small and if you can make the difference bigger in your favour, obviously, we want to do it.”
Arteta, meanwhile, had no interest in reflecting on City’s midweek win, which prolongs the title race for another game.
“We focus just on the things that are in our hands, which is preparing the best possible way to beat Burnley, that’s it,” he added.
“We’re not thinking about that type of thing, the only focus is Burnley and winning the game. That’s the thing that we can control.
“Obviously, it's been an extremely demanding season from the beginning. The team has coped with that in a really fantastic way. There is no other choice.
“We have the opportunity and our supporters. It's going to be a Monday night. Let's take it in a really positive way. Hopefully, we do something incredible with our supporters. We can replicate any of that.”
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