Mikel Arteta defiant despite another Arsenal slip-up
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Arsenal's Martin Odegaard celebrates scoring their second goal.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – The odds on Arsenal claiming the Premier League title are lengthening by the game, but Mikel Arteta still believes his young side can hold Manchester City at bay.
For the third game in a row after throwing away two-goal leads in 2-2 draws against Liverpool and West Ham, the Gunners boss again went through the full gamut of emotions as his side drew 3-3 at home to bottom club Southampton on Friday.
This time, however, the tables were turned as they trailed 2-0 inside 15 minutes.
Late goals by captain Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka salvaged a dramatic point that may yet prove vital in Arsenal’s quest for a first league title since 2004.
But gifting Southampton three soft goals suggested that the team’s lack of experience in the heat of a title run-in will ultimately prove telling.
Arteta admitted to feeling “empty” at the final whistle, yet his side will still go to City on Wednesday for what could be a pivotal clash, with a five-point lead.
A relentless City have two games in hand, however, and defeat for Arsenal at the Etihad will surely prove terminal.
Despite Arsenal dropping six points in three games and suggestions they are buckling under the pressure, Arteta praised the character of his players and said he was relishing the battle with Pep Guardiola’s City.
“I cannot wait, these are the games you want to play. When everything is at stake you have to go there to win,” the Spaniard said.
“It is the beauty of this sport, you want to be in these positions. We will have an incredible trip to Manchester and we will prepare really well.”
On Friday, his side conceded after just 27 seconds when goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale’s poor pass led to a goal by Carlos Alcaraz.
The Gunners were 2-0 down inside 15 minutes as former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott fired home.
Gabriel Martinelli struck back for the hosts after 20 minutes, but Southampton restored their two-goal lead in the 66th minute as substitute Duje Caleta-Car headed in at the back post.
Odegaard and Saka then made it 3-3 with their goals in the 88th and 90th minutes.
Arteta also said none of his players were “hiding” on Friday and that the fact they managed to salvage a point, and almost snatch a winner, spoke volumes for their spirit.
“This young team reacts in a way that is incredible when it is against the odds, the chances they created and the spirit they had it was a joy to watch,” he added.
“The message is clear, that I love them.”
One Arsenal player with experience of title wins is former City forward Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian said Arsenal must win at his old club.
“Now is the difficult moment. It is time now to stick together until the end,” he said.
“We still have a lot of things to do this season. It’s not over, we are still five points clear. City have two games in hand but if we want to be champions we have to go there to win the game – that is all.”
Arsenal’s chance of winning the title, according to data company Gracenote, was 55 per cent on March 28 but had dropped to 32 per cent before kick-off on Friday.
That figure would have shrunk again after the draw with Southampton, with Arsenal’s destiny now out of their own hands.
If City win or draw against the Gunners and then win their remaining matches, they will be crowned champions no matter what the north Londoners do.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher summed up the task that Arsenal face.
“They are going to have to do something miraculous now,” the former Liverpool defender said. “It’s going to have to be really special.” REUTERS, AFP
