By Kwame Bediako
Mikel Arteta has made it clear that Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League title will not wane, even as they find themselves 11 points behind league leaders Liverpool.
Following a disappointing 1-0 defeat to West Ham at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, the Gunners’ 15-game unbeaten streak in the top flight came to an abrupt end. The loss was compounded by Liverpool’s subsequent victory over Manchester City, which further extended their lead at the top of the standings.
With Liverpool now boasting a staggering 96.6% chance of clinching the title according to Opta’s supercomputer, Arsenal’s title aspirations seem bleak at just 3.4%. The situation has been exacerbated by injuries to key players, including Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, both ruled out for the season. Additionally, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are sidelined, leaving Arteta with a squad facing significant challenges ahead of their upcoming fixtures.
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Arsenal’s next match is against third-placed Nottingham Forest, a team they narrowly defeated 2-1 in the same fixture last season. However, history suggests that consecutive away victories at the City Ground are elusive, with the Gunners last achieving such a feat between 1987 and 1990. Arteta acknowledges the tough road ahead but remains unwavering in his belief that his team can still mount a challenge.
Despite the mounting odds against them, Arteta emphasised the importance of resilience and determination. “We’re not going to stop. Over my dead body,” he asserted. The manager highlighted the necessity of treating every game as a potential opportunity to close the gap, insisting that the team must continue to push forward regardless of recent setbacks. He believes that to win the Premier League under the current circumstances, Arsenal would need to achieve something unprecedented in the league’s storied history.
Looking ahead, Arsenal’s fixtures remain demanding, with a two-legged Champions League round of 16 clash against PSV Eindhoven following the match with Nottingham Forest. Additionally, they will face critical Premier League encounters against Manchester United and Chelsea before the international break next month. As the season unfolds, Arteta’s commitment to fighting for the title remains steadfast, urging his players to rise to the occasion in the face of adversity.
