Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has sought to temper expectations around his high-flying young Gunners as the north London giants prepare to clash with Jürgen Klopp’s vaunted Liverpool side in their midweek tie at the Emirates.
The free-scoring Reds have a chance to climb within a point of table-topping Manchester City after Pep Guardiola’s outfit suffered a setback yesterday after playing out a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, but the Arsenal boss could do a massive favor to his friend and former manager should the Gunners throw a spanner in the works as Klopp’s troops look to march away from the capital with all three points.
When speaking in his press conference earlier today, Arteta downplayed the current run of form his side is currently enjoying while putting pressure on those above the Gunners in the table.
Mikel Arteta was asked if he thinks Arsenal are one of the best sides in the country right now:
🗣 “There are better teams in the country, that’s what the league table shows and we haven’t done anything.”
— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) March 15, 2022
“There are better teams in the country, that’s what the league table shows and we haven’t done anything. What we do is we try to improve and this time better than what we want, be much more consistent in performance and results, but nothing else as yet.”
Arsenal creating ‘something special’
Arsenal ran out 2-0 winners against Leicester City at the weekend in a result that saw them reclaim fourth spot in the table after Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Manchester United to a 3-2 win over Tottenham at Old Trafford, and the three-point haul saw the north London giants extend their winning run to five matches as they remain one of the in-form sides in the Premier League.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 13: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on March 12, 2022 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
Norwegian star and Gunners creator-in-chief Martin Ødegaard was full of praise for the club’s performance this season after claiming that ‘something special’ is going on at the club.
“There is clearly something special going on here now. You feel it in the whole club. We are building something special. It’s a group of players who like each other, and who enjoy playing football together.”
“It’s fun to play on that team here. We are a group that knows each other well. We are getting better and better and the system is getting better and better. It’s flowing very well now. It’s fun to play. We understand each other better, and the team works very well. Then it’s easier to look good for me too.”
Should Arsenal get a result – or even a win – against Liverpool in a match which, despite their run of form, no one expects them to take anything off the Premier League title-chasers, further proof would be in the pudding as to how well the project has come along under the Spanish headmaster.
