Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal remain convinced they can win the Premier League title despite a crucial loss to Manchester City, with a three-point lead still in hand
MIKEL Arteta declared Arsenal remain “convinced” they will end their long Premier League title drought despite a damaging 2-1 defeat to Manchester City.
The Gunners still hold a three-point lead at the summit, but City now have a game in hand and significant momentum.
Arsenal have now lost four consecutive domestic games, missing chances for silverware in both the League Cup and FA Cup.
History threatens to repeat itself after the club blew leads over City in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons.
Arteta insisted his players’ belief is unshaken after an improved performance at the Etihad Stadium.
“I believe today, I believe on Wednesday, I believed a week ago because I see them every day and I know the level that we have,” said the manager.
“But today, if they need to be more convinced, I think they are now more convinced.”
He described the title race as a “new league now” with everything still to play for.
Arsenal have a theoretically easier run-in than their rivals but face the added complication of Champions League football.
They are set for a gruelling semi-final battle with Atletico Madrid in Europe.
Arteta dismissed any suggestion he needs to lift his squad for the final weeks of the campaign.
“If I have to pick the players up to win the Premier League with five games to go, in our hands, and be in the semi-finals of the Champions League, I think I should be at home,” he said.
He affirmed the team’s readiness to “go again” in pursuit of the title.
