Arsenal have learnt lessons from last season’s EPL title disappointment, says Mikel Arteta

LONDON – Arsenal have learnt from their capitulation in last season’s English Premier League title race and are hoping to play with more consistency this time around in the “most important” part of the campaign, manager Mikel Arteta said.

The north London outfit were top of the league for nearly 250 days before their title challenge crumbled last season, as they were overtaken by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

They are once again involved in the title race. They are third in the standings on 52 points from 24 games, two points behind leaders Liverpool and level with second-placed City, who have a game in hand.

“It’s the most important part of the season. Every fixture is going to play a significant role in what we want to achieve,” Arteta said ahead of the Burnley game at Turf Moor on Feb 17.

“Burnley is the most important one at the moment. With them, it’s been extremely small margins.

“We have a very tough match on Saturday, we have to play with the same enthusiasm and the rest will come...

“We have learnt a lot from last season, we have shown a lot of consistency in the team and now we want to make a step forward and keep that level of consistency.”

The Spaniard expects to have a full squad at his disposal.

“Some of them have been progressing more than others, we have got a training session today and I am positive we will get a few players back tomorrow,” Arteta said.

“We have to go game-by-game... in the last few weeks we have had to play other players and we have not had players to do so.

“Certain players we have tried to manage that in the best way.

“No big setbacks and Thomas Partey is progressing really well and I don’t want to say too much, but it is looking good.”

Things are definitely not looking good for Burnley.

Their manager Vincent Kompany has told his struggling side they “cannot feel sorry for ourselves” in their quest to avoid relegation.

Burnley are eight points from safety, with 14 games left. They have won just five points at their Turf Moor ground this season.

They have, however, drawn their last two home league games, against Luton Town and Fulham.

Kompany told a pre-match press conference on Feb 15 that his unlucky side must focus on the task ahead of them.

He said: “Plenty of good games to look back on, plenty of good performances but in the end we cannot feel sorry for ourselves.

“It’s just been a reality for us and that’s why every game we are looking to improve and every game is a new beginning.”

REUTERS, AFP