Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta warns Liverpool their Premier League form will be difficult to sustain and Gunners can bridge the gap

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has warned Liverpool that their lead at the top of the Premier League will be 'extremely difficult' to maintain – and believes his side can close the nine-point deficit to the leaders.

The Gunners travel to West Ham, live on Sky Sports' Saturday Night Football, knowing they can temporarily reduce that deficit to six points before Liverpool host reigning champions Manchester City on Super Sunday.

Should Arne Slot's side win that game, the Reds would restore or extend their current lead over the Gunners – and also move eleven clear of Pep Guardiola's side.

Earlier this week, Slot urged caution not to get carried away by Liverpool's lead. He reminded everyone that Arsenal themselves had an eight-point lead at the top two seasons ago, but City fought back to claim the title.

Meanwhile, Arteta – having seen his Arsenal team lead and fail to win the title in the last two seasons – insists the Gunners are not out of title contention at this stage.

“We have been there and it is extremely difficult to keep this up for 10 months,” Arteta said. 'When you think you have it, one day it collapses.

“It could be a consequence, due to injuries or other decisions. And it could happen at any time. We have to be ready for that.

“But it's something we can't control. What we can control is being at our best.”

Asked if Arsenal can beat Liverpool this season, Arteta replied: “I really believe in my team, yes.”

'This is a long term'

Ahead of this weekend's games, Liverpool have responded well to the departure of Jürgen Klopp and the appointment of Slot as manager.

As well as winning all five of their Champions League matches so far this season, they have also recorded victories in 10 of their 12 Premier League matches.

Along with Nottingham Forest, Arsenal are one of only two teams to deny Liverpool victory this season after the 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium in October. Arteta believes his team will have to be perfect if the Reds are to maintain their current form.

“If they go on then that's for sure, given the numbers they're producing and the number of games they're winning,” Arteta added.

“The focus is on us to above all maintain the consistency and performance that gives us the right to win games, and maintain availability in the squad. This is a long term.”

“Winning increases energy and our confidence. We've had two big wins for us and now it's about consistency and getting that momentum going, moving forward against a good opponent [West Ham] and try to replicate the performance to win the game.”

'Man City deserve to win every match they lose'

Arteta also spoke about Man City's title hopes and suggested Guardiola's side are not yet out of contention due to their recent performances.

Reigning champions City have gone winless in their last six games – a run that saw five straight defeats before throwing away a three-goal lead against Feyenoord on Wednesday night.

Guardiola's City also have a poor injury record, with key midfielder Rodri absent this season, while Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku, John Stones, Oscar Bobb, Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish have all suffered recent fitness problems.

“Even with those injuries, they deserved to win every game,” Arteta said of City. “If you look at their stats and everything they do, they have always been better than the opposition.

“This is football. You earn it and you don't win it, but there is a reason for that.”

Watch West Ham vs Arsenal on Saturday, plus Liverpool vs Man City on Super Sunday live on Sky Sports in a crucial weekend of Premier League title-race football.