Mikel Arteta Confident Arsenal Can Catch Liverpool In Premier League Title Race

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Mikel Arteta is optimistic about Arsenal's chances in the Premier League title race. They are set to face Aston Villa on Saturday. Despite recent setbacks in the EFL Cup and FA Cup, Arsenal secured a 2-1 victory over Tottenham. This win brought them within four points of Liverpool, who have a game in hand. Arteta believes his team can catch up.

Arteta expressed confidence when asked if Arsenal are contenders for the title, stating, "Yeah we are. There is so much to play for. We can see how difficult it is for every team." Reflecting on their performance against Spurs, he added, "We were sensational. It was a big test after two games and not getting rewarded."

The victory against Tottenham was crucial for Arsenal after their loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup. Arteta praised his team's resilience, saying they responded well to challenges and showed determination on the pitch. He emphasised that the players are eager for more tests and are ready to prove themselves.

Aston Villa recently defeated Everton 1-0, with Ollie Watkins scoring the decisive goal. This victory moved Villa to seventh place in the league standings. Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery expressed satisfaction with the clean sheet but acknowledged concerns over their defensive record.

Martin Odegaard has been instrumental for Arsenal since returning from injury. He has created 42 chances in all competitions since November, nearly double that of any other teammate. Declan Rice follows with 23 chances created. Odegaard's playmaking skills will be crucial against Aston Villa.

Ollie Watkins has been a key figure for Aston Villa, contributing to 98 goals in his Premier League career. He has scored five times against Arsenal, three of which were at Emirates Stadium. Watkins' ability to find the net will be vital for Villa's hopes on Saturday.

Match Prediction and History

Arsenal are favourites to win against Aston Villa despite past struggles against them. Villa have won five of their last ten encounters with Arsenal in the league. Last season, Villa triumphed 2-0 at Emirates Stadium in this fixture. However, Arsenal have not lost consecutive home games against Villa since the early '90s.

The Opta win probability suggests a strong chance of an Arsenal victory at 61.2%, while a draw stands at 20.5%. Aston Villa's chances of winning are estimated at 18.4%. Notably, none of their last 18 meetings have ended in a draw.