Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-02 16:06:07
Mikel Arteta is optimistic about Arsenal’s chances of making a comeback in the Premier League title race, especially with the upcoming match against league leaders Liverpool at the Emirates on Sunday.
Despite trailing Jurgen Klopp’s men by five points at the top of the table, Arsenal is determined to secure their first league title in 20 years. When the teams faced off in December, Arsenal were at the top of the table, but since then they suffered three consecutive defeats to West Ham and Fulham in the Premier League and to Liverpool in the FA Cup. However, they have bounced back with wins over Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest since returning from the winter break.
Arteta is filled with positivity and enthusiasm as Arsenal prepares to face Liverpool at home. He is hopeful that his team can replicate the success of their 1-0 win over Manchester City at the Emirates earlier in the season. Arteta sees it as an opportunity to further solidify Arsenal’s position in the league. He believes in the power of momentum and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive atmosphere at home with the support of the fans.
The recent victory over Nottingham Forest was hard-fought, with Arsenal holding on for a 2-1 win after Taiwo Awoniyi’s late goal. After the match, a heated argument broke out between defenders Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko over Forest’s goal. Arteta sees this passion as a positive sign, indicating the players’ strong relationships and trust in each other. He values their desire to demand better from each other as a team and sees it as a crucial aspect of their development and improvement.
Arteta appreciates the players’ drive to always strive for improvement, as it shows their commitment to the team’s success. He encourages a respectful and demanding environment among the players, where they challenge each other to be better and push themselves to their limits. Arteta believes that this approach is essential for the team to achieve their goals, as he does not want the team to operate in a complacent and comfortable manner.
In summary, Arteta is filled with optimism as Arsenal prepares to face Liverpool at home. He sees it as an opportunity for Arsenal to climb back into the title race and further solidify their position in the league. Arteta values the passion and demanding nature of his players, seeing it as vital for the team’s success and development. He encourages a respectful and challenging environment within the team, where every player is held to a high standard in their pursuit of excellence.
