Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed growing confidence in his team’s Premier League title ambitions after securing first place at Christmas. A penalty from Viktor Gyökeres earned Arsenal a narrow 1-0 victory over Everton on Saturday, maintaining their two-point lead over Manchester City ahead of the festive break.
While Arsenal has led the league at Christmas in three of the past four seasons, Arteta suggested this year feels different due to the team’s consistent high-level performances. “It gives me belief and confidence: the level of performance and the consistency of that,” he said. “It is very difficult to do in this league so it means the team is consistently there. We enjoy the process of winning. We will have to go to difficult places and have difficult moments. We have dealt with a lot of things already and we are there.”
Historically, the team leading at Christmas has gone on to win the Premier League title in 17 of the last 33 seasons, though Arsenal has experienced four disappointments after leading at this stage.
Meanwhile, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has grown increasingly optimistic as his team has closed a seven-point gap to just two points with a recent winning streak. Guardiola recently remarked that City are “getting better” after a slow start to the season.
Despite Guardiola’s resurgence, Arteta remains focused solely on Arsenal’s own performance. “We are not looking at [City],” he insisted. “I know you guys do. The only thing we can control is our own performance and results and we know how long it’s going to be and how tough this league is. That’s it. Enjoy every day. Do your best and see what we’re going to get.”
Arteta’s calm and determined approach highlights Arsenal’s belief in their ability to maintain their position and challenge for the Premier League title this season.
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