Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is hesitant to rule Liverpool out of the Premier League title race and wants his players to focus on what they can control amid Manchester City’s ominous form.
Arsenal lead the way at the summit after Tuesday’s 5-0 rout of Chelsea, while Liverpool are three points behind them – with a far inferior goal difference – after Wednesday’s 2-0 loss to Everton.
But it’s City who control the destiny of the trophy at present, sitting one point behind Arsenal with a game in hand after thrashing Brighton and Hove Albion 4-0 on Thursday.
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On Friday, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said Arsenal and City will now be viewing it as a two-horse race, admitting it is unlikely both teams drop enough points to allow the Reds back in.
Asked whether Liverpool were now out of the running, Arteta said: “I don’t think so. This league is tremendously demanding and there can still be a lot of turns.
“We all know how difficult it is to win games in this league.”
Arsenal know City must slip up to give them any chance of lifting the trophy, and Pep Guardiola’s champions are unbeaten in 30 matches in all competitions, winning 24 and drawing six.
“It’s another game that they managed to win in a convincing way. We cannot control it,” Arteta said of City’s latest result.
“We are there. We have to look at ourselves and try to perform in the best possible way, win our matches and wait to see what happens.
“That is what we discuss. It sounds a bit repetitive, but it is what we have to do.”
Arsenal face potentially their toughest remaining game on Sunday, as they visit Tottenham for the North London derby.
The Gunners lost 3-0 to their old rivals during the run-in two years ago, as Antonio Conte’s Spurs dramatically overhauled them to seal Champions League qualification at their expense.
Reminded of that costly defeat, Arteta said Arsenal had learned their lessons and instead reminded those present of their 2-0 victory in the same fixture last January.
“My memory is failing,” Arteta smiled when reminded about the 3-0 loss. “I’m more focused on last year, which was more positive.
“It was a very particular match for different reasons. We learned from there. We tried to get a squad that is better equipped and on Sunday we will hopefully see that again.”
