Arsenal Must Be Consistent to Challenge Liverpool for Premier League Title, Says Arteta

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says his team must stay consistent in the second half of the season to challenge Liverpool for the Premier League title.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has urged his team to remain committed to their title aspirations, despite facing a significant deficit behind Premier League leaders Liverpool. Arteta emphasized the importance of consistency in the second half of the season to maintain pressure on Liverpool and stay in contention for their first title since 2004.

Currently, Arsenal sits third in the standings with 36 points from 18 matches, trailing Liverpool by nine points. Nottingham Forest occupies second place with one point more than Arsenal, although they have played an additional game. Arteta's focus is on ensuring his team maintains a strong pace to capitalize on any potential slip-ups by the teams above them.

“It (title race) doesn't depend on us. But we have to continue to be like a hammer, be there every day, every day,” Arteta told reporters ahead of their match at Brentford later on Wednesday.

“If someone wins all the matches then we congratulate them and go to the next season. If they don't - and in history, it hasn't happened - then we will be there.”

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal has demonstrated significant growth this season, particularly in their ability to navigate adversity. “We've proved that already this season, I'm sure of that,” he stated, highlighting the team's resilience.

Arteta pointed to the challenges Arsenal has overcome, including playing with 10 men due to red cards and coping with injuries within the squad. He noted that if these setbacks had occurred last season, the team's prospects would be far less promising. “If this had happened last season - the number of games we’ve played with 10 men, the injuries in the squad, for sure it would be difficult to be in the stages of the competitions we are in now,” he explained.

Arteta expressed pride in his team's evolution and ability to adapt to new circumstances. “So, for sure, the team has made another step. The team is evolving and adapting to new circumstances and now we have another one with more games with less players. So let's face it,” he said, emphasizing the team's determination to overcome the challenges ahead.