Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has dismissed the notion that his club had bottled the Premier League ahead of the encounter with Manchester City on April 26, 2023, at the Etihad Stadium.
The Gunner boss also dismissed the claim that Arsenal are suffering from a lack of confidence.
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The Gunners came back from behind to snap a point against Southampton in a 3-3 draw on Friday, April 21.
Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka made a stunning comeback at the Emirates to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points, with the title race likely to be determined at the Etihad Stadium.
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Arsenal’s third successive Premier League draw handed the Manchester City side a boost with two more games in hand.
Mikel Arteta claims it is not the final game because there are still six more matches to go and there are still enough points to gain before the season ends.
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The major concern for the club is to turn the situation around and also to have some of the club’s players back from injury.
Mikel Arteta wants to remove their doubt and get them ready to face Manchester City in the coming Premier League game.
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He continued, “In football, we go through moments when we make errors and are not in a good mood.”
He claimed the Arsenal players were willing to do more to win the title. That was why Arsenal created chances, got back to 3-3 against Southampton, and also should have won the match.
Arteta reaffirmed his love for Arsenal players.
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The manager said he loves his players and that it is an absolute joy to work with them.
The Spanish tactician will also cuddle his players because they deserve it at this point of the season. There is spirit and fight in the dressing room, but it is clear they have to defend nicely.
Meanwhile, Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus claimed a lot of things are going on, but he does not want to talk about the negative parts because he is positive about winning the Premier League this season.
The Brazilian wants the players to stick together until the end. Gabriel Jesus wants his team to go to Etihad and get the needed result.
Arsenal are the youngest team in the league, but they should not be making excuses according to the player.
“Sometimes they do right and sometimes wrong things, but sticking together is the only solution to winning the title”, he added.
Gabriel Jesus does not seem to be happy with the performances in the last three matches.
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However, the Brazilian wants his team to continue fighting to the end.
Although Manchester City have been in nice form toward the end of the season, they have not lost a single match in the last eight matches.
Manchester City’s squad is the strongest and hardest to defeat in the Premier League.