Despite slipping 11 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool following a 1-0 defeat to West Ham at the Emirates, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insists that his side will continue to fight for the title. Arteta made it clear that the Gunners won’t give up on their championship aspirations, emphasizing that Arsenal still has a game in hand and a crucial visit to Anfield scheduled for May 10.
Arteta’s Defiant Response
When asked if he would concede the title, Arteta responded passionately: “Over my dead body. If not, I will go home.” His statement reinforced the determination and belief within the Arsenal camp, as Arteta believes the team can still close the gap and mount a serious challenge for the Premier League crown.
While the task ahead may be daunting, Arteta remains confident that his squad can make history. “Mathematically it is possible. Three days ago we could close a gap and you are like ‘you are one-and-a-half games away,'” he explained. “The difficulty is higher than three days ago, but if you are going to win the Premier League, you have to do something special.”
Setbacks and Injuries Impacting Arsenal’s Campaign
Arsenal’s hopes have been dented by injuries to several key players, including Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Martinelli. Arteta admitted that these injuries have had an effect on the team’s performance, especially in the loss to West Ham. However, he pointed out the team’s overall consistency this season, noting that Arsenal had won 10 and drawn five of their previous 15 matches, mirroring Liverpool’s recent run with identical goal difference.
Arteta was quick to highlight the momentum Arsenal had built up prior to their recent defeat, saying, “So we have been extremely consistent over the past three months considering everything we have been through.”
Staying Focused on the Bigger Picture
Despite the setback against West Ham, Arteta remains focused on the bigger picture. “When you are trying to build that momentum, and we put so much into it with the circumstances that we have, it was a really hard one to take,” he admitted. Arsenal must now regroup and continue to build momentum if they are to mount a serious challenge for the title.
With an important game against Liverpool looming, Arteta’s determination to keep fighting for the Premier League title is clear. The Gunners still have hope, and as Arteta said, they will have to do something extraordinary to make history and become champions once again.
