‘Sensational’ Arsenal back in title race: Mikel Arteta

LONDON – Mikel Arteta warned Liverpool that “sensational” Arsenal are back in the English Premier League title race after beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in the north London derby on Jan 15.

Desperately needing a win to close the gap at the top of the table, the Gunners staged a stirring fightback after Son Heung-min’s 25th-minute opener for Spurs.

Dominic Solanke’s own goal hauled Arsenal level before Leandro Trossard’s strike put them ahead late in the first half at the raucous Emirates Stadium.

Second-placed Arsenal’s first win in four games in all competitions moved them within four points of Liverpool.

Although Arne Slot’s team have a game in hand and remain the title favourites, Arteta is convinced that Arsenal have what it takes to track down the Anfield club.

Asked if his team are title contenders, the Gunners boss said: “Yeah we are. There is so much to play for. We can see how difficult it is for every team.”

It was a cathartic victory for Arsenal, who had been knocked out of the FA Cup third round by 10-man Manchester United on penalties on Jan 12, just days after losing 2-0 at home to Newcastle in the League Cup semi-final first leg.

A draw at Brighton & Hove Albion in the league prior to those disappointments had left injury-hit Arsenal looking like outsiders in their hunt for a first league title since 2004.

But Arteta, whose side face another test against Aston Villa on Jan 18, was relieved to see his players show the hunger they will need to overhaul Liverpool in the second half of the season.

“We were sensational. It was a big test after two games and not getting rewarded,” he added. “We were incredibly good in the last game against United and we ended up losing somehow.

“It’s how you respond to a situation. These boys want more, they want to be tested and questioned, then they want to go on the pitch. We have big examples of that today...

“To play the biggest game of the season for our people, it was a test of attitude, what we are made of, the courage we have. From minute one, we fully deserved to win the game.”

Pressed on whether the derby success had restored confidence in Arteta and his team, the Spaniard said: “We can’t control that. We lost in the most incredible way against Manchester United.

“My confidence comes from seeing the players and how they perform every day. If my confidence comes and goes with each result then we should not be doing this.”

Showing the confidence that Arteta prizes so highly, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice insisted they should have dispatched Tottenham by a far greater margin.

“You can tell that tonight meant more than anything,” he said. “From the first minute, the first half was pure domination.

“We showed the intent, the pressure, the desire, you could tell it was a derby. I think we were probably unlucky that we didn’t score 10. That is the feeling.”

Like Arteta, the former West Ham star is confident Liverpool can be reeled in, as long as Arsenal take advantage of any further slips from their rivals.

“Every time Liverpool have drawn, we have not capitalised on it and that’s been a kick in the teeth,” he added. “To close the gap is important, a big night for us.”

Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou slammed his Tottenham players’ poor performance. Sitting just eight points above the relegation zone, Spurs have gone five league matches without a win, losing four times during that stretch.

Their manager was furious with their tame surrender, saying: “We were nowhere near good enough, especially in the first half. We were too passive.

“We let Arsenal dictate the game. Second half was a little better but nowhere near good enough. Not acceptable.”

Since beating Manchester City 4-0 in November, Tottenham have managed only one win in nine league games.

In other news, police have launched an investigation into social media abuse aimed at Arsenal forward Kai Havertz’s wife after his latest poor performance.

Havertz, who led the attack against Spurs, missed a penalty in the shootout defeat against United. Following the loss, the Germany international’s wife, Sophia, reposted two abusive messages she had received on Instagram.

A police spokesman told Britain’s Press Association: “Officers have received a report of malicious communications towards a Hertfordshire resident on Sunday 12 January. Enquiries are under way.” AFP