Mikel Arteta has reminded his Arsenal squad of the Premier League‘s unpredictable nature. He referenced recent defeats suffered by Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea. The Gunners manager wants his players to remain grounded despite their positive start to the season.
Arsenal secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the Emirates. Eberechi Eze’s first-half goal proved to be the difference. The win extended Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table, but Arteta insists it is still “early” in the campaign.
Mikel Arteta praises Arsenal’s resilience
Arteta praised his team’s ability to secure a crucial win under pressure. He acknowledged the challenges posed by Crystal Palace. The manager highlighted the importance of maintaining concentration throughout the match.
“I just told the boys that they will probably value this victory more than any other victory this season because we knew the difficulty of it,” Arteta said. “We come after playing every three days. You have a big opportunity as well, with the things that happened during this weekend.”
Arsenal had opportunities to extend their lead in the second half. However, Crystal Palace’s organized defense made it difficult. Arteta emphasized the significance of keeping a clean sheet.
Premier League unpredictability: Arteta’s warning to Arsenal
Arteta pointed to the defeats of Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea. These results highlight the Premier League’s competitive nature. He wants his Arsenal players to stay focused and avoid complacency.
“It shows how hard this league is,” he said when asked about his rivals dropping points. “The players aren’t allowed their phones so I hope not [that they didn’t know].”
Arsenal focused on continued improvement
Despite Arsenal’s strong start, Arteta remains cautious and grounded. He is focused on continuous improvement. He believes there are still areas where the team can get better.
“We are where we are,” he continued. “It’s a credit to us because we have been very consistent knowing the difficulty of every match as well. It is early. It doesn’t mean anything other than let’s keep doing a lot of things that we’re doing well but there are things to improve.”
Arsenal face Burnley next weekend. They aim to maintain their position at the top of the Premier League. The club will also monitor the fitness of William Saliba, Declan Rice, and Gabriel Martinelli.
Arteta’s message is clear: Arsenal must remain vigilant and continue to work hard. The Premier League title race is a marathon, not a sprint. Only sustained effort and focus will bring success.
