Mikel Arteta Fires Back at Premier League Title Doubters: "We Know Our Worth"
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has rejected claims that the Premier League championship is his team's to surrender before Saturday's clash with Sunderland.
The North London club currently holds a commanding six-point advantage at the summit after merely 10 matches, displaying the kind of defensive solidity that has led to speculation they could challenge Chelsea's historic record of allowing only 15 goals throughout an entire campaign.
With runners-up Manchester City facing third-place Liverpool in Sunday's concluding fixture, Arsenal possess an opportunity to widen their gap at the league's pinnacle, though Arteta maintained this weekend carries no greater weight than others.
"Each weekend holds significance," he stated during his Friday press briefing. "There are occasions when due to other potential outcomes or matches, perhaps they carry slightly more weight, but ultimately you must secure a specific number of points to reach your objectives, and the three points versus Sunderland tomorrow will be extremely challenging and we'll need to truly work for them."
When suggested to Arteta that only Arsenal themselves could prevent the Gunners from claiming the Premier League crown next summer, he responded decisively.
"No, I disagree," he stated emphatically. "I apologize, but every team possesses the ability, and I'm confident they also believe they can achieve it, so we remain completely conscious of that.
"We understand our capabilities, we recognize areas requiring improvement too, and that's our sole concentration."
Arteta: Recognition for Displays Not Essential
Though Arsenal are now commonly regarded as frontrunners for this season's Premier League trophy, discussion has emerged regarding their standing among the division's greatest teams of all time.
The Gunners are delivering some of the most impressive defensive displays in league history, yet Arteta emphasized he has zero concern for self-congratulation regarding Arsenal's enhanced standing.
"It's not about recognition, it's about accomplishing it, and after you've accomplished it, repeat the process, and that's our responsibility," he explained. "Today, practice at our peak, attempt to advance, strive to provide maximum clarity to the players and comprehension of the match we must play tomorrow, and tomorrow represents another execution day."
Arsenal's journey to Sunderland occurs one day prior to the weekend's marquee encounter between City and Liverpool. As expected, Arteta showed no inclination to predict an outcome.
"I'm solely concentrated on tomorrow's match, how vital, how challenging and how demanding it will be, and that represents the initial step we must take," he finished.