Mikel Arteta has issued a warning to Liverpool that Arsenal are back in the Premier League title race following a narrow 2-1 win over Tottenham in the north London derby on Wednesday.
After falling behind early to a Son Heung-min strike, the Gunners replied with a Dominic Solanke own goal before Leandro Trossard’s winner before halftime at the Emirates. The victory snapped Arsenal’s four-game winless run in all competitions and brought them to within four points of the Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Arteta believes that his side can remain in a position to put pressure on Liverpool, who now are title favourites with a game in hand. “Yeah, we are [title contenders]. There’s a lot to play for,” he said.
Arsenal had to respond after the way their FA Cup exit to Manchester United and a League Cup defeat to Newcastle had gone. Arteta commended his players’ resolve, saying: “To play the biggest game for our people, it was a test of attitude. We fully deserved to win.”
Midfielder Declan Rice insisted Arsenal ought to have won by a greater margin, saying, “It was pure domination. “It was unlucky not to score 10.”
Arsenal are keen to maintain their title challenge with a critical face-off against Aston Villa on the horizon.
