Football: Two-horse race? There will be more teams involved, says Arteta

LONDON – As it stands, Arsenal are probably the favourites to win the Premier League title this season, having a two-point lead over Manchester City and with a game in hand.

But manager Mikel Arteta has brushed it all off, insisting that it is not yet a two-horse race especially when the in-form Manchester United are just five points behind the Gunners.

Speaking ahead of his side’s clash at Leicester City on Saturday, he said: “I think there are more teams involved and every day is going to be a race – and also a race to convince my players how to train better, to play better.

“Against Leicester, we are going to have to be really good to beat them, especially with the way they have been playing the last few weeks.

“They’ve been really consistent the past few weeks. It’s true that Brendan (Rodgers) has very different games throughout the seasons and they have this capacity to adapt, play different formations and play in different approaches.

“We have prepared for both because it’s possible and let’s see what they do tomorrow.”

Arsenal regained top spot last week following a 4-2 stoppage-time win over Aston Villa, while City dropped points in a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.

That eased the pressure on the Gunners a little. But Arteta also said that his job remained the same and that he has to stay focused to bring out the best of his players.

“Maybe for the players it is (less pressure), but for the manager it’s always about trying to get prepared mentally and tactically to try to understand what can happen in the game and have all the solutions available,” he said.

“The focus is how we can best prepare to win. Obviously, you have to influence sometimes the psychology part of the team, and sometimes it’s the physical condition of the team and the tactical battle or the game plan, so at the end it’s a challenge every week in this league.”

Thomas Partey could be back for Arsenal but Gabriel Jesus is still recovering from his long-term injury, Arteta added.

Partey missed Arsenal’s 3-1 home defeat by City earlier in February and the win at Villa last week due to a lower back injury, while Jesus has been out since a knee problem playing for Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar.

“Thomas has not trained much but looks like he could be available,” Arteta said.

“He is a really important player... who we missed in the last few games but hopefully he can be available.

“(Jesus) is progressing well. He is doing more and more on the field. The knee is not reacting so it’s really positive. We want him back quickly but respect the timeline from the doctors.”

Leicester – who could find themselves in 15th following Friday’s match between Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers – suffered a 3-0 loss at United last week but the Foxes beat Tottenham 4-1 and Villa 4-2 before that defeat.

Not since October have Rodgers’ men recorded a Premier League clean sheet at the King Power Stadium, so that is a concern for the Foxes boss against an Arsenal side who have scored the most number of away goals (24) among all 20 teams this season.

Rodgers, meanwhile, also spoke about the title race.

“You see the excitement there with how Arsenal are playing and you sense the supporters feel they have an opportunity – which they do have,” he said.

“But it’s really not until you get to 10 games to go and then five games to go. If they’re still up there, which I believe they will be, then the expectation on everything and the emotion grows even more.”

Key midfielder James Maddison remains a doubt for the game after suffering from a persistent knee issue this term. REUTERS