Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has sent a pointed warning to Liverpool as they look to maintain their eight-point advantage at the top of the Premier League.
Liverpool’s excellent start to the season, with 10 wins from their first 12 games, has placed them in a commanding position ahead of their crucial match against Manchester City on Sunday.
However, Arteta, whose Arsenal side were once in a similar position before collapsing in the final stages of the 2022-23 season, believes Liverpool’s lead could slip at any moment.
Reflecting on his own team’s title challenge last season, Arteta acknowledged that sustaining such a lead for the entire season is difficult and fraught with unpredictable challenges.
Arteta, when asked about Liverpool’s prospects of holding onto their lead, was clear in his thoughts: “To sustain it for ten months is extremely difficult. Everything has to go your way. And sadly, when you think that you have it, one day, plop, it collapses. And it can be through a result, injuries, or other decisions. It can happen at any moment.”
Despite the warning, Arteta expressed full belief in Arsenal’s ability to close the gap on Liverpool. He added, “I really believe in my team, yes,” signaling his confidence in Arsenal’s title challenge.
On Manchester City’s ability to challenge Liverpool despite their injury problems, Arteta was unequivocal.
He stated, “They deserve to win every game. You look at all the stats, they are always better than the opposition. They deserve it, and even with injuries, they continue to show their quality.”