Mikel Arteta believes his Arsenal side should have two Premier League titles to their name at the standards they have hit in recent seasons – and the fact they are empty-handed is a testament to that the Gunners boss that he can catch the Liverpool team.
Arteta's Arsenal spent the previous two seasons competing with Manchester City at the top, hitting 84 and 89 points but struggling to settle for a second-place finish both times.
This season, City are out of the picture but Liverpool go into a crucial weekend appearance at the top of the Premier League table with a six-point advantage with a game in hand. Arsenal travel to Brighton on Saturday, before Liverpool welcome Manchester United a day later – both games are live Sky Sports.
Asked by Sky Sports' Natalie Gedra on how to stop the noise that suggests Arsenal are too far away from the top this season, Arteta replied: “Winning and performing like we are today, whatever happens with the team and focusing on the things we can control. every day – taking care of that.
“Because what can Liverpool do? We were in that position. Two years ago we had 50 points in the first leg and then we didn't win the league. It can happen to any team , it is so difficult.
“We're only halfway and already the amount of talk we've spent for weeks and weeks and weeks about the title race? It is nonsense.
“Because there are a lot of games to play and in this league, it can be one, two, three (results) and everything has changed. We have to be ready.”
When asked what Arteta has learned from the last two seasons, he replied: “That you can always do better and that you can always improve. With those numbers, you usually win and we should have two Premier Leagues.
“The truth is it's not, so there's more motivation, more willingness, more enthusiasm to say: can we still look at our team and say we can be better? My answer is yes in all categories, so let's go for it. “
Arteta: Nwaneri wants to be the main man
Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri had an encouraging start to the Premier League against Brentford
Whether or not Arsenal sign a promising player between now and the end of the January transfer window could be crucial to the Gunners' hopes of reaching the top of the Premier League before the end of May.
The North Londoners' need for extra firepower has been further increased by the long-term injury to Bukayo Saka, who suffered a hamstring injury before Christmas which ruled him out for more than two months.
“It's natural that it happens,” Arteta said of the constant transfer window questions at this time of year.
“There is an opportunity to develop a team, to bring players who you believe will make an impact. We are always open to that.
“But that's one part. The main part is: how do we get more out of the team, the individuals we have and put the focus there?”
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Paul Merson has urged his former club Arsenal to try and sign Newcastle's Alexander Isak to add more goals to their Premier League title threat
One figure going into the break without Saka is Ethan Nwaneri, with the 17-year-old set to become Arsenal's third-youngest starter in Premier League history when he starts his ' 3-1 comeback win over Brentford on New Year's Day.
The teenager started in Saka's position on the right and had a big part to play in Arsenal's third goal – and Arteta believes Nwaneri has the personality to play regularly for his side.
“The main thing is: don't look at his birthday,” said Arteta. “That's very important because when you start looking at his age, there are always limitations. And that's not fair on the player.
“This is what we see every day: how he trains and how he prepares himself, how the team looks at him and how they trust him. When a player is like this, the quality he has, the understanding he has. and the character he has to play, he needs a chance and he deserves it.
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gives the latest news on Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling, Benjamin White and Takehiro Tomiyasu and potential income and expenditure for January moves
“Outside the field, he's very humble, very polite and quiet. On the field? Complete transformation. 'Give me the ball, I want to be the main character, I want to make things happen '. He is very brave.”
Watch Brighton vs Arsenal live on Sky Sports Premier League on Saturday Night Football from 5pm; kick off 5.30pm
