"That is a very important thing" - Mikel Arteta highlights key advantage Arsenal have in PL title race
Mikel Arteta believes his Arsenal squad's quality, along with their favorable schedule, will be key to their Premier League title chase. He believes that they can go all the way this season and take advantage of the other teams slipping up.
Speaking to the media, Arteta stated he was confident in his players to do even better this season and go all the way. He added that they were looking to take advantage of every situation and said (via Metro):
"There is so much quality with a lot of teams but it is true that teams have had very different schedules and that is a very important thing. Teams have had various contexts and difficulties than others but after 18, 20, 25 games we will see where everybody is. Hopefully, we are going to be there."
He pointed out that they have some easy fixtures coming up and they needed to build momentum. Arteta said:
"We feel that it is the right moment now to start building that momentum. We weren’t able to do it in terms of results a bit earlier which we wanted but let’s do it now. Now it’s about winning. Anything that is not that just creates a different emotion and you cannot get dragged into that especially so early in the season."
Arsenal are currently fourth in the Premier League table with 19 points from 11 matches. They are nine points behind league leaders Liverpool, and four behind Manchester City in second.
Gary Neville continues to back Arsenal for the Premier League title
Gary Neville was talking on Sky Sports earlier this month and again backed Arsenal to win the Premier League title. He believes that the slow start to the season is not an issue nor is Liverpool being nine points ahead in the table.
He said (via Daily Mirror):
"There is an element of them feeling sorry for themselves because they've got a few injuries - come on! You can win the league title, become Arsenal legends! No one is interested in whether you've got a few injuries, those players will come back, don't wait for them. They've had some tough games, going to Newcastle is tough. But Arsenal at this moment, there are big questions being asked. But I don't rule them out of winning the title - I've still got them winning the title."
The Gunners are up against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, November 23, before taking on West Ham United and Manchester United next in the league. They travel to face Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, November 26.