Mikel Arteta addresses Arsenal’s title chances and issues new rallying cry after Chelsea sidelined
The Gunners blasted their London rivals in a sensational 34-minute opener on Tuesday night to take a 3-0 lead thanks to two goals from Martin Odegaard and another strike from Gabriel Jesus.
Noni Madueke got a second-half consolation goal for Chelsea but Arsenal were good value for the win and ended a four-game winless streak.
When asked if his side could still win the league after reclaiming top spot from Manchester City, who are now two points adrift but with two games in hand at home to West Ham on Wednesday, Arteta sounded defiant.
“Of course we discussed it,” he said. “We have four games to play. We are at the top right now and see what happens.
“The thing we can control is to win our games and play as well as possible and that’s what we try to do.
“You can’t do that (lower your head). To be in the position that we find ourselves in after 10 months and who we are fighting against, to be there and to have the opportunity to be on top is something that we have to feel, embrace and appreciate.
“We have to maximize the opportunity we have. There’s nothing quite like walking into that locker room and feeling that energy after a moment like that.
City could be boosted amid concerns over Gabriel’s fitness. The Arsenal defender limped off in the second half against Chelsea after suffering on several occasions.
Arteta admitted the issue was a concern, with his side not keeping a clean sheet for nine games following William Saliba’s back injury.
“Yeah, he wasn’t comfortable, he tried to keep going for 10 or 15 minutes,” Arteta said of Gabriel. “He couldn’t go on, which was strange for Gabby because he’s not usually the one who wants to leave the pitch.”
If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials on our website, please contact us by email – at itipspedia@gmail.com The content will be deleted within 24 hours.
