Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are “convinced” they will end a 22-year wait to win the Premier League despite losing 2-1 to Manchester City in a potentially pivotal encounter in the title race on Sunday.
Arsenal still leads by three points at the top of the table, but City has a game in hand and momentum on their side.
Arsenal have now lost four successive domestic games, missing out on the opportunity to break a six-year trophy drought in the League Cup and the FA Cup.
History may repeat again, as Arteta’s team wasted leads over Manchester City in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons before finishing second.
Arteta, on the other hand, argued that his players’ confidence has not been rattled following a significantly improved performance at the Etihad Stadium.
“I believe today; I believe on Wednesday; I believed a week ago because I see them every day and I know the level that we have,” said Arteta.
“But today, if they need to be more convinced, I think they are now more convinced. We are talking about it in the dressing room.
“It’s a new league now. We have three points of advantage; they have the game in hand.
“Everything is still to play for. We know how much we want it, and we are not going to stop!”
Arsenal have an easier run-in than City, but they face the added complication of being the only English team still in the Champions League.
Arteta’s men face a tough semi-final clash with Atletico Madrid as they seek to become European champions for the first time.
However, Arteta refuted the notion that he will need to strengthen his squad in the remaining weeks of the season.
“If I have to pick the players up to win the Premier League with five games to go, in our hands, and be in the semi-finals of the Champions League, I think I should be at home.
“So it’s not the case; it’s not needed. It’s never been needed, even in difficult moments. So we go again, that’s for sure.”
