Mikel Arteta says Arsenal should “flip that coin” as they seek out Premier League leaders Liverpool in a quest to be topped champions of England after two agonising near-misses.
The second-placed Gunners, runners-up to Manchester Metropolis over the previous two seasons, are six factors behind Arne Slot’s rampaging Liverpool, who’ve a sport in hand, having performed half their league fixtures.
Stumbles in October and early November left Arsenal enjoying catch-up and Arteta on Friday pleaded for consistency from his males, who journey to face mid-table Brighton on Saturday.
“We’ve to indicate the identical degree of consistency and a bit extra, as a result of the final yr now we have been one of the best group within the league, damaged varied data and nonetheless have not gained a serious trophy, so one thing is lacking,” mentioned the Spaniard.
“It’ll be very skinny, small particulars, you possibly can choose up sure video games and conditions. However on the finish, we’re so shut and we simply need to flip that coin to the opposite aspect to make it occur.
“That is solely going to occur if we do what now we have to do and what we will management. The remaining is out of our arms.”
Arsenal are bidding to win their first Premier League title since 2004 however are set to be with out Bukayo Saka till March after the England winger suffered a hamstring damage towards Crystal Palace final month.
“There’s not one participant that is going to play 9 video games in a row in that place, it is unimaginable,” mentioned Arteta.
He added: “We want extra risk, we’d like extra gamers match and rotation in that unit. In relation to that, we’ll make choices and as nicely, gamers’ performances, that is easy.”
The Arsenal boss mentioned he was uncertain whether or not the membership would strengthen within the January switch window.
“The main target is on the gamers that now we have,” he mentioned. “When one thing is available in the market that we will afford and imagine goes to have an actual impression on the group, now we have to be open to that risk.
“We’ve the power to vary the squad within the home windows, however in the mean time the main focus is on what now we have.”
jw/jdg/mw
