Mikel Arteta Issues Warning To Liverpool In Premier League Title Race As Arsenal Prepare To Strike

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Mikel Arteta has issued a warning to Liverpool, the current Premier League leaders, stating that Arsenal will be ready to capitalise on any mistakes they make in the title race. Arne Slot's team extended their lead over Arsenal by nine points after a 5-0 victory against West Ham, marking their 14th league win in 18 matches under the Dutch manager.

Despite Liverpool having a game in hand due to a postponed Merseyside derby against Everton because of high winds, Arsenal can climb to second place with a win over Brentford. This would see them surpass Nottingham Forest. Arsenal are currently unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games following a narrow victory over Ipswich Town.

When questioned about the difficulty of catching Liverpool, Arteta told Sky Sports: "I don't know, and that doesn't depend on us. We have to continue to be like a hammer, be there every day, every day, every day. And, I mean, if somebody wins all the matches, congratulate him and let's go to the next season. But if they don't, which in history hasn't happened, we'll be there."

Arsenal's recent history has seen them fall short in the title race. They lost out to Manchester City in the final weeks of the 2022-23 season and again last year. Injuries have hampered their quest for a first top-flight title since 2003-04. Bukayo Saka is currently sidelined for two months after hamstring surgery.

Arteta remains optimistic about Arsenal's chances this season despite setbacks. "Well, we're going to have to prove it," he added. "What we've proven already this season... if that had happened last season... for sure we were in the position that we are today in the competitions." He believes his team has evolved and is ready for new challenges.

The Gunners will start 2025 with an away match against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. Historically, Arsenal have only lost their first league game once in the past nine years (W6 D2), which was against Pep Guardiola's City on New Year's Day 2022.

Strong London Derby Record

In 2024, Arsenal remained unbeaten in all ten of their Premier League London derby matches (W8 D2). They scored five or more goals in five of those games, matching their tally from their previous 117 such encounters.

The conclusion of this article highlights Arsenal's determination and readiness to seize any opportunity presented by Liverpool's potential slip-ups. With key players returning from injury and a strong recent record in London derbies, Arteta's side is poised for another competitive season.