Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta has warned Liverpool that their lead on the prime of the Premier League can be “extremely difficult” to maintain – and believes his aspect could make up the nine-point hole to the leaders.
The Gunners journey to West Ham, stay on Sky Sports activities’ Saturday Night time Soccer, understanding they may quickly lower that deficit to 6 factors, earlier than Liverpool host reigning champions Manchester Metropolis on Tremendous Sunday.
Ought to Arne Slot’s aspect win that sport, the Reds would re-establish or prolong their present lead over the Gunners – and likewise transfer 11 away from Pep Guardiola’s aspect.
Sunday 1st December 3:30pm
Kick off 4:00pm
Earlier this week, Slot urged warning over getting carried away about Liverpool’s lead, reminding everybody about how Arsenal themselves had an eight-point benefit on the prime two seasons in the past – however Metropolis fought again to say the title.
In the meantime, Arteta – having seen his Arsenal group lead the desk and fail to win the title within the final two seasons – insists the Gunners are usually not out of the title battle at this stage.
“We’ve been there and to sustain it for 10 months is extremely difficult,” mentioned Arteta. “Immediately while you assume you’ve got it, in the future it collapses.
“It may be a outcome, by means of accidents or other forms of choices. And it could actually occur in any second. We’ve to be prepared for that.
“But it’s something we can’t control. What we can control is be at our very best.”
Requested if Arsenal are able to catching Liverpool this season, Arteta replied: “I really believe in my team, yes.”
‘It is a long term’
Forward of this weekend’s video games, Liverpool have reacted effectively to the departure of Jurgen Klopp and the set up of Slot as supervisor.
In addition to profitable all 5 of their Champions League video games up to now this season, they’ve picked up victories in 10 out of their 12 Premier League matches.
Together with Nottingham Forest, Arsenal are one in every of solely two groups to disclaim Liverpool victory this season after their 2-2 draw on the Emirates Stadium in October – and Arteta believes his group will have to be excellent if the Reds sustain their present kind.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Southampton’s match in opposition to Liverpool within the Premier League
“If they continue then that’s for sure, with the numbers they’re producing and the amount of games they’re winning,” added Arteta.
“The focus is on us to maintain the consistency especially and performances that will give us the right to win games, keep the availability in the squad. This is a long run.
“Successful lifts the vitality and our confidence up. We have had two huge wins for us and now it is about consistency and getting that momentum, take it additional in opposition to a very good opponent [West Ham] and attempt to replicate the efficiency to win the sport.”
Saturday thirtieth November 5:00pm
Kick off 5:30pm
‘Man Metropolis have deserved to win each sport they’ve misplaced’
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Arteta discusses this weekend’s top-of-the-Premier League desk conflict between Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis
Arteta additionally spoke about Man Metropolis’s title hopes – suggesting Guardiola’s aspect are usually not out of the battle due to their latest performances.
Reigning champions Metropolis are winless of their final six video games – a run which concerned 5 straight defeats earlier than throwing away a three-goal lead in opposition to Feyenoord on Wednesday evening.
Guardiola’s Metropolis even have a poor harm report, with key midfielder Rodri out for the season, with Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku, John Stones, Oscar Bobb, Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish all going through latest health points.
“Even with those injuries, they deserved to win every game,” mentioned Arteta about Metropolis. “If you look at their stats and everything they do, they have always been better than the opposition.
“That is soccer. You deserve and you do not win it, however there is a cause for that.”
Watch West Ham vs Arsenal on Saturday, plus Liverpool vs Man Metropolis on Tremendous Sunday stay on Sky Sports activities in a vital weekend of title race soccer within the Premier League.
