Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta reveals advice he received from Arsene Wenger ahead of Premier League title run-in
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has opened up about the advice he received from Arsene Wenger as his side prepare for the final stretch of the Premier League title race.
The Gunners are currently leading the table by a point ahead of second-placed Manchester City, while Liverpool trail two points further behind in third. The north Londoners have Tottenham Hotspur, Bournemouth, Manchester United, and Everton left to play this campaign.
Meanwhile, Manchester City's next fixtures include Nottingham Forest, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Fulham, Tottenham, and West Ham United.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Arsenal's north London derby against the Lilywhites on Sunday (April 28), Arteta was asked whether he had the chance to speak to Wenger regarding the title race.
The Spaniard said (via Metro):
"I have spoken to him a few times about certain topics. About how they’ve won it [in the past] and the latter stages. He used to talk about it as well when I was a player, so that is always there in the hard drive."
When asked further about what advice he's received from the three-time title winner, the Arsenal boss added:
"For this time? That, at the end, it’s about finding a way to win the game. And that’s it. You can do it in various ways, when you look at how they won their titles and how they won certain games, with very, very, very close margins.
"He always talked about that, about the fine margins and who is going to step up in the occasion to make it happen."
The Gunners have recorded 24 wins, five draws, and five losses in the English top-tier this season.
"The three points were available there" - Arsene Wenger laments crucial moment in Arsenal's title push
Arsene Wenger feels Arsenal should've won their goalless draw against Manchester City on March 31. The Frenchman has highlighted how pivotal that draw was in this season's title race.
The Gunners were in pole position until their 2-0 defeat to Unai Emery's Aston Villa on April 14 which saw them fall two points behind the Cityzens.
When asked about the Aston Villa defeat, the former Arsenal manager, who led the legendary Invincibles team to the title 20 years ago, claimed the Gunners could have bagged three points had they pushed City more.
He said (via The Mirror):
"It was a complete surprise. You know that when you play for the championship at home with eight games to go and you have the opportunity to make a difference, you have to take it.
"The frustration was a bit on the day [they drew at City]. You didn't know after the game. OK it was a good point and a well-fought point because City didn't create much.
"I get as well the feeling that if they had pushed more, the three points were available there. You'll know at the end of the season, usually when you play against a big opponent and you can finish him off, you want to do it."