Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta called on his players to “live in the present” ahead of today’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 English Premier League draws.
The title race tightened as Arsenal dropped points at Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers, with second-placed Manchester City five points behind with a game in hand.
Arsenal, who have won only one of their last four league games, need to earn success as they hunt for their first English top-flight title since 2003-2004, Arteta said.
Photo: AFP
“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,” he said. “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 English League Cup final and the round-of-16 in the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup, on Wednesday conceded a late equalizer to drop points at Premier League bottom side Wolves.
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,” he added.
Arsenal could be boosted in the North London Derby by the return of forward Kai Havertz and playmaker Martin Odegaard, the manager said.
Although 16th-placed Spurs are winless in the league since December last year, they are going into today’s game with a fresh approach under newly appointed manager Igor Tudor.
Arsenal would be ready to take on former Juventus manager Tudor, Arteta said.
“We have analyzed everything that he has done in his career, different clubs, different formations and the players Spurs have available,” he 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.”
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