Mikel Arteta has warned Liverpool that Arsenal are “not going to stop” preventing for the Premier League title after securing a late win towards Leicester Metropolis, 4 days after Arne Slot’s facet dropped factors to Everton.
The Gunners closed the hole on Liverpool to simply 4 factors because of Mikel Merino’s double off the bench whereas working as a makeshift ahead within the absence of injured duo Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
The spectacular win, with none recognised strikers taking the sector, arrived in the identical week that Everton’s James Tarkowski netted a dramatic 98th-minute equaliser at Goodison Park to carry Liverpool to a 2-2 draw.
All consideration will now shift to Liverpool’s conflict towards Wolves, reside on Tremendous Sunday, with Arteta insisting his workforce will give chasing down the league leaders a “real go” with 13 video games remaining for the Gunners.
“We really want it,” Arteta informed TNT Sports activities when requested about his message to Liverpool.
“No matter what occurs or the difficulties we’ll face, we’ll give this an actual go.
Arsenal’s Mikel Merino celebrates after scoring their opening aim (AP Photograph/Rui Vieira)
“The team wants it, we’ve had seven or eight months working on that. We’re not going to stop, let’s see how far we can go!”
Arsenal are actually unbeaten of their final 15 video games within the top-flight, with 10 wins arriving all through this spectacular run, however now face a difficult set of fixtures as they put together to face West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and Chelsea throughout the subsequent month.
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Arteta continued: “It’s a decent week. Let’s see what happens.
“We are able to solely do what’s in our management. However you come to any floor and it is a nightmare. It is tough, it’s important to be at your greatest to win. It is going to be a future.”
What Arteta stated to Merino
Leandro Trossard was the primary participant tasked with main the road for Arsenal towards Leicester however after a tepid show, Arteta was pressured right into a rethink with time ticking down.
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Arsenal supervisor heaped reward on midfielder Mikel Merino for his two objectives as a striker towards Leicester
Raheem Sterling had struggled all through the sport and inside minutes of being changed by Merino and Trossard shifting out broad, the match was gained because of the previous’s quickfire double.
Requested what he stated to the midfielder-by-trade earlier than utilising him as a makeshift ahead for the primary time in his profession, Arteta stated: “That he was going to score. He’s a real goal threat.
“The second they began shifting deeper and we had been extra set within the closing third, we thought he might ship these moments. But it surely’s simpler to say it than get it executed!
“Mikel has never played as a nine. But he has that timing, he can smell danger, anticipate danger. And then he can execute it.
“It was plenty of debate. I did not wish to drive him loopy. I stated to him this morning that he may play there, we consider he might sit there if the sport wanted the context. He gained the sport for us.”
Mikel Arteta following the 2-0 win for Arsenal towards Leicester
Arsenal keep within the title hunt
Sky Sports activities’ Sam Blitz:
The critics had been ready for Arsenal, inside and exterior. It appeared like they did not have sufficient up high. It appeared just like the failure to behave in January would value them.
However up stepped Mikel Merino, of all individuals, to be Arsenal’s centre ahead for the ultimate jiffy. He scored twice.
Edging previous second backside within the desk is not the signal of champions however the bounce-back-ability from setbacks is.
Arsenal have hung within the title race all season regardless of harm after harm, purple card after purple card. They’re nonetheless there!
