Arteta wants to win at Man City
"I can't wait, it's the game you want to be in," Arteta said of the match against Man City on April 26, after the draw with Southampton yesterday. "When everything is at stake, you have to go there to win. We will prepare the game with that mentality. That's the beauty of the sport, you want to stay where you are. We are. I will prepare well for the wonderful trip to Manchester."
Three consecutive draws against Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton left Arsenal breathless in the title race. "Gunners" is currently five points ahead of Man City, but kicks more than two games. They still have the right to self-determination if they win the remaining six rounds, including a trip to Man City on the evening of April 26.
The last time Arsenal won at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League took place in January 2015, with a 2-0 victory thanks to Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud. Last season, Arsenal even lost 0-5 and failed to hit the target once as a guest of Man City.
Acknowledging the importance, but Arteta emphasized that the trip to Man City was not the "final" to decide the throne this season, because Arsenal still played five more rounds. The Spanish coach asked his players to "put aside doubts" and focus their minds towards the goal of winning all three points in Manchester.
Against Southampton yesterday, Arsenal started badly when Carlos Jonas Alcaraz and Theo Walcott conceded in the first 14 minutes, respectively. Gabriel Martinelli shortened the lead in the first half, but substitute Duje Caleta-Car restored the two-goal lead with a header from close range 66 minutes in. Subsequent efforts only saw Arsenal score twice thanks to Martin Odegaard. and Bukayo Saka in the last three minutes to make it 3-3.
Arteta is not satisfied with the result, but insists he is still proud of the home team's performance. He added: "We make it difficult again, but mistakes are part of football. With the way we react, I love the players more than ever. This young group reacts in a way. amazing way."
The 41-year-old coach admitted that the defense made many mistakes and had to improve, but rejected the view that Arsenal lacked confidence because they were under pressure to win the title. Arteta also regretted when Arsenal missed good opportunities late in the game, when the score was 3-3, like Leandro Trossard's shot over the bar or Reiss Nelson's kick off the post.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus was disappointed because Arsenal drew three matches in a row and emphasized that all points can decide the English Premier League crown. The Brazilian striker considers the remaining six rounds as finals, including meeting his old club Man City.
