Of course, after seeing West Ham and Man United lose yesterday, while Arsenal managed to get all three points at a resilient Watford, all the talk this morning is that Arsenal are now the hot favourites for the Top Four, and could even catch Chelsea in third place.
But there is still a long way to go, and a lot of points still on offer, so absolutely nothing is set in stone at the moment.
It is easy to get carried away with all the hype, but now Mikel Arteta has to keep his young side’s feet firmly on the ground and keep them focused on each game as it comes along.
As Arteta said after yesterday’s win: “To be fair, I don’t like to look at the table a lot because we have games in hand, we’re going to play different fixtures and I know the objective and it’s only one, to try and improve tomorrow on what we’ve done today and go into the next match, and that’s it. I cannot control results and I cannot predict which matches we are going to win, draw or lose, it’s impossible. If I start to do that I think we’re going to lose focus in what we want to do.”
We are set for a difficult week from next Sunday when we are at home to Leicester (who have won their last two games) and then we have to face Liverpool and then Aston Villa in the next 6 days.
But we need to forget the future, and even ignore how our rivals are performing. Just concentrate on getting into top form for next week’s game. The 12th man at the Emirates should help us to get the points, and then move on to the next one…
Every game’s a final!
Onwards and Upwards.
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Mikel Arteta’s FULL press conference after Watford win –
One week that is entirely crucial for us in the run-in is 13th-19th of March. 5-6 points in those 3 games, and we are close. Another 3 points against Spuds when we eventually play, we move closer, ManU later is also a must win. If we do well in these games, I’m confident we will do well in the remaining games.
John, I agree that next week is crucial due to the number and proximity of games as well as the quality of opposition (all 3 teams being on winning streaks). Losing all three is a (remote) possibility if we start with a poor performance vs Leicester as our momentum and confidence could be sapped without time to recover, and these are two key factors in our recent progress.
However – the “one game at a time” and “every game is a cup final” approach has suited us well since February, so I remain hopeful regarding all but the Liverpool game.
What I don’t agree with is you highlighting Spuds and Man U as “must wins”. No, they are just two amongst many games we want to win, and our season will not rest on them alone. It’s conceivable that we will be out of sight of both by the time we play them, so they are just two more games against average teams that we should beat in “cup final” mode when the time comes.
As the saying goes, one game at a time.
👍👍
Or as the updated saying goes:
Three games in a week!!!
Play our best teams against Leicester and Villa, and play the reserves against Liverpool and let that result fall as it may.
Absolutely Declan and I would imagine Mr Vardy is licking his lips watching a rerun of our defending yesterday
Leicester are an enigmatic team this season but they have had a lot of injuries in key positions, with players now coming back they will probably have a strong finish to the season
They have a game on Thursday whilst we are resting and training, plus we are at home so hopefully we will have enough on the day to get the points on offer
Come on you Gunners
Yes FF they are dangerous, especially on the break .
Clearly every game is important but Arsenal have created a buffer that means not every game is a must win.
Hoping that in the unfortunate event that next week’s 3 games in six days goes badly that the majority of fans won’t lurch to thinking everything is horrible again.
I’d be surprised if this ride doesn’t still have some bumps in it. Fortunatley I’m more confident in the team riding them out without drama then I am of the fanbase, god love us all.
Lol Voyageur – echo that!
They get whipped again as long as we keep the fire in us burning.
Any ideas on why ESR is hardly playing these days.?
He hasn’t played a full match since GW13 against Newcastle. A couple if 75 minute starts and the rest off the bench.
Is he injured or what?
Can’t be fatigue he’s only 21.
He’s been ill apparently.
This weekend it was covid. Previously injury then I think GM was preferred but pretty sure he will get back in as GM seems to have regressed back to headless chicken mode. Excitable lad it seems!
Hahahahaha!!! You bad mouth
Arteta prefers Nellie!!!
Simple as that
Treat every game as a Cup Final & we have a chance of being counted amongst the Top 4 teams in the EPL & a difficult knot to crack.
I’ve seen a bit of that grit in this current squad & i believe go all they way.
COYG!
Beat Leicester and the top four will be further down the road of taking care of itself.
I would remain cautious we have totts, Chelsea, West Ham, Crystal Palace and Southampton away really tough away games.. then have Liverpool and Man utd at home very very long way to go.
Agree Kev but its the same for utd and Spuds. The advantage we have is we have 2 more plus games to play with compared to them.
If we can get back to play champions league next season I will have reason to smile.
The article is on point, focus focus focus nothing bit that.