Mikel Arteta issues Arsenal title warning to Liverpool and tells players: ‘Be like a hammer’
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Mikel Arteta has told his Arsenal players they need to be like a “hammer” in the title race and ready to pounce if Liverpool slip up. Liverpool are eight points clear at the top of the Premier League going into the new year and they have a game in hand on Nottingham Forest, who are second.
Arsenal are a further point adrift of Forest ahead of their trip to Brentford on New Year’s Day, but have played the same number of games as Liverpool. Arne Slot’s side have been in remarkable form, losing just one of their 18 league games, however Arteta has told his players they cannot give up hope.
“We have to continue to be like a hammer, be there every day, every day and if someone wins all the matches then congratulate them and then go to the next season,” he said. “But if they don’t [win all their games] - which in history it hasn’t happened - then we will be there.”.
Brentford kicks off a packed January for Arsenal, who have nine games in 29 days, but Arteta believes his squad can handle it. The Gunners have been battling injuries and suspensions all season, with Arteta confident that tough experience has led to his side growing.
“We are going to have to prove it,” he said. “We’re proven that already this season, I’m sure of that. “If this had happened last season, the number off games we’ve played with ten men, the injuries in the squad, for sure it would be difficult to be in the stages of the competition we are in now.
