Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta before the match. Photo: REUTERS/File
LONDON:
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta called on his players to “live in the present” ahead of Sunday’s visit to local rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a battle to stay ahead in the title race after their lead was cut short by successive Premier League draws.
The title race tightened as Arsenal dropped points at Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers, with second-placed Manchester City now five points behind with a game in hand.
Arteta said Arsenal, who have won only one of their last four league games on the road, need to earn success as they hunt for their first English top-flight title since 2003-04.
“We have a very clear instruction for ourselves, we have to live in the present,” Arteta told reporters on Friday.
“What we did in the past is great but we have to be in the present and it is beautiful. We are exactly where we want to be in every competition but there is still lots to play, and we need to earn it like we have done in the last seven or eight months.”
Arsenal, who have reached the League Cup final and the round of 16 in the Champions League and the FA Cup, conceded a late equaliser to drop points at Premier League bottom side Wolves on Wednesday.
Arteta said the result was a “shock”, but Arsenal players were eager to shake it off.
“It’s a shock to the system but the fans have been incredibly good with us. We wanted to give them the victory but we couldn’t. We have to move on,” he said.
“We’d all love to play the game today to get that feeling we have in our tummies and use it in the right way. We have to show it on Sunday.”
Arsenal ready to take on Tudor
Arsenal may be boosted in the North London Derby by the return of forward Kai Havertz and playmaker Martin Odegaard, the manager added.
Although 16th-placed Spurs are winless in the league since December, they are going into Sunday’s game with a fresh approach under newly appointed manager Igor Tudor.
Arteta said Arsenal would be ready to take on former Juventus manager Tudor.
“We have analysed everything that he has done in his career, different clubs, different formations and the players Spurs have available,” Arteta said.
“From there, we will have the capacity to adapt to what the game requires. However, the main focus is on what we have to do to win.”
He rejected the term ‘bottlers’ ahead of Sunday’s Premier League visit to Tottenham Hotspur, as the title race heats up after their lead was cut short by successive Premier League draws at Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Arsenal have won just two of their last seven league games, with second-placed Manchester City now five points behind with a game in hand.
Under Arteta, the North London club has finished as the runners-up in their last three campaigns.
“It’s not part of my vocabulary and I don’t see it like this because I don’t think anybody wants to do that as an intention,” Arteta told reporters on Friday, when asked about the term being used regarding their latest wobble in the title race.
“That’s individual opinion, perspective. You have to respect that. That’s what I said after in the press conference. You lose two points against Wolves in the manner that the game played out, you have to take it on the chin. It’s part of our role.”
“What I’m very interested in is the next one, what we are made of, what we love about this and how we write our own destiny from here.”
Arsenal have also reached the League Cup final and the round of 16 in the Champions League and the FA Cup.
Meanwhile, Tottenham, who are 16th in the Premier League, will enter into Sunday’s game under newly appointed manager Igor Tudor, who replaced Thomas Frank last week.