LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Mikel Arteta has issued warnings that the title race is “not over” despite Manchester City’s top-of-the-league win by Pep Guardiola.
As a follow-up to their 4-1 thrashing of Arsenal at the Etihad in midweek, City defeated Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
In contrast, Arsenal has gone four games without a victory (drawing three and losing one), earning just three out of a potential 12 points. The Champions have now won eight straight games in the league.
Since then, the lead at the top of the table has shrunk to only eight points, but Arteta, speaking ahead of Tuesday night’s match against Chelsea, has refused to give up on the battle for the championship.
“We still have the nicest part of the season to play,” The Spaniard says. “Five games to go. When I still look at it’s like, this is not over. I will pay a lot of money for next season to be in this position again. A lot, believe me. So I just want to maximise the moment we have right now and go for it. Win tomorrow [against Chelsea]. That’s what we have to do.”
Though, William Saliba will be absent from the Arsenal lineup once more on Tuesday night owing to a back ailment, but the team has already qualified for the Champions League for the upcoming season.
The club’s goal at the beginning of the season was to return to Europe’s top club tournament, but Arteta says he is pleased that qualifying is no longer considered sufficient.
Arsenal now set to welcome Chelsea on Tuesday night in the Premier League, knowing that a victory will put them back atop the standings.
