By Willow Austin
Published on 2024-03-30 13:09:58
Mikel Arteta is challenging his Arsenal players to rise to the occasion as they prepare to face Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Despite the daunting task ahead, Arteta believes that his team can match or even surpass the level of performance set by Pep Guardiola’s side in the league.
Manchester City has established itself as a dominant force in English football in recent years, making it a tough opponent for any team. However, Arteta is determined to end their reign and lead Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table. He acknowledges that while the Gunners have been striving to compete with City in the past seasons, they must raise their game even further to be considered serious title contenders.
In the previous season, Manchester City managed to snatch the league title from Arsenal, who had spent a significant amount of time at the top of the table. Currently, Arsenal sits at the top of the league standings, with a slim lead over Manchester City in third place. Arteta is keen to avoid a repeat of last season’s disappointment and is rallying his players to face the challenges head-on, with only 10 league matches remaining in the season.
“We had some clashes in the FA Cup and the Community Shield. They have raised the bar to levels not seen before in football. You have to keep up with that pace, and that is what we are trying to do,” Arteta emphasized during a pre-match press conference, highlighting the high standards set by Manchester City.
Arteta acknowledges that City has set a benchmark for excellence in football, and Arsenal must strive to match and exceed that level to achieve success. He believes that his team has been gradually closing the gap in recent years but needs to push even harder to surpass City and become the best in the league.
“They have earned the right for everyone to look at them as an example. It has raised our level and demands [us] to try to be like them and beat them,” Arteta declared, expressing his admiration for City’s achievements and his determination to lead Arsenal to victory.
As the showdown at the Etihad approaches, Arteta’s challenge to his players is clear: rise to the occasion, meet the high standards set by Manchester City, and emerge victorious. With a fierce determination to succeed and a belief in their abilities, Arsenal’s players are ready to take on the reigning champions and prove that they have what it takes to be the best in the Premier League.
