Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta is emphasizing the need for consistent performances in the remaining part of the season to keep pressure on Liverpool.
Arsenal has started the new year trailing significantly in the Premier League title race. In this situation, Arteta is focusing on maintaining consistent performances to reignite their chances and keep the pressure on league leaders Liverpool.
With 36 points from 10 wins and 6 draws in 18 matches, Arsenal sits third in the league, 9 points behind Liverpool. Nottingham Forest, with one more match played, is second, just 1 point ahead of Arsenal.
Arsenal’s next match is on Wednesday, away to Brentford. The match will kick off at 11:30 PM Bangladesh time. In the pre-match press conference, Arteta urged his team to keep winning in order to stay in the title race and keep their hopes alive.
“It (the title race) is out of our control. But we must keep pushing every day. If any team wins every game, then we will congratulate them and focus on next season. If that doesn’t happen—and it hasn’t happened in history—then we will stay in the race.”
Arsenal was in contention for the title in the last two seasons but ultimately finished as runners-up after losing steam. This time, however, they have started the season behind. Despite this, Arteta believes his team has shown improvement.
“This season, we have shown progress, and I am sure of it. If this had happened last season—where we played several matches with 10 men (after red cards), and we had so many injuries—I’m sure (if we had faced similar challenges in past seasons), we wouldn’t be in this position today.”
“I am confident that the team has taken a step forward. We are growing, adapting to new situations, and now we are facing another match with fewer players. Let’s go and face it head-on.”
