Mikel Arteta is confident his Arsenal side are ready to strike in the Premier League title race if Liverpool open the door.
Liverpool moved nine points clear of Arsenal with a resounding 5-0 win over West Ham and while the Gunners can close the gap, Arne Slot's side still have a game in hand over their rivals.
However, the signs are good as Arsenal appear to be hitting the boil at the right time. The 1-0 win over Ipswich left the team unbeaten in eleven games, eight of which they won.
Asked how difficult it will be to catch Liverpool, Arteta said: “I don't know, and it doesn't depend on us.
“We have to stay like a hammer, be there every day, every day, every day. And I mean, if someone wins all the games, congratulate him and let's move on to the next season. But if not, , what hasn't happened yet in history, we will be there.”
After seeing the Premier League title slip out of their hands in the final weeks of the 2022/2023 season, Arsenal fell short again against Manchester City a year later, despite a brilliant run of eleven wins in their last thirteen games.
It seems this Arsenal team is just the bridesmaid and not the bride, but Arteta believes they have the qualifications to go all the way.
He added: “Well, we'll have to prove it. Which we've already proven this season, and I'm sure, if that would have happened last season, by playing the number of games we've played.” with 10 men, all the injuries we had in the squad, we were certainly in the position we are in the competitions. So the team has taken another step.
“The team is evolving and adapting to new circumstances. And now we have one more, namely more matches with fewer players. So let's be honest.”
Brentford juggling injury crisis
Brentford has struggled with injuries this season, making consistency difficult to find.
With seven wins from nine games they have the joint-best home record in the league, but they have been unable to match that form on the road, as they sit bottom of the table alongside Southampton with two points and no wins.
Frank is currently without Ethan Pinnock, Kristoffer Ajer and record signing Igor Thiago, while summer signing Gustavo Nunes is yet to make his debut.
Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey and Josh Dasilva are all long-term absentees, adding to Frank's problems.
There was better injury news elsewhere as Frank confirmed Sepp van den Berg and Mathias Jensen are fit to return against Arsenal.
“The news is more positive and they will be available and in the squad,” Frank said. “They've been out for a while, so we just have to decide if they'll start.”
Jones Knows' prediction: Rice scores first in away win
Sky Sports betting expert Lewis Jones:
Thomas Frank lost two more key members of his Brentford backline, taking the total number of injured players in the stubborn draw at Brighton to eleven. Such exhaustion will strike sooner or later and this could be the point where the tide turns.
Arsenal, without receiving much praise, seem to have the edge again when it comes to winning games. Declan Rice's return to form may have something to do with that; he has looked more himself in recent weeks and carries a big goal threat from midfield.
He scored the victory over Palace and came close to a comfortable 1-0 win over Ipswich with two goals. The 18/1 for him to score first with Sky Bet is too big. Support it.
SCORE PREDICTION: 0-3 | JONES KNOWS' BEST BET: Declan Rice scores first (18/1 with Sky Bet)
Arsenal's upcoming matches
Brentford (A) – Premier League – Wednesday 1 January
Brighton (A) – Premier League – Saturday January 4, live on Sky Sports
Newcastle (H) – Carabao Cup semi-final first leg – Tuesday 7 January, live on Sky Sports
Man Utd (H) – FA Cup Third Round – January 12
Tottenham (H) – Premier League – January 15
Aston Villa (H) – Premier League – January 18, live on Sky Sports
Comments