Mikel Arteta makes Arsenal title race admission amid Manchester City and Liverpool point as Mikel Arteta insists Liverpool are not ‘superior’ to Arsenal as huge gap emerges…

Mikel Arteta has made a statement regarding Arsenal’s involvement in the title race, taking into account the influence of Manchester City and Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta has acknowledged the challenges Arsenal faces in the Premier League title race, particularly in light of their current position behind leaders Liverpool by ten points.

He emphasized that Arsenal is not the only team grappling with form issues, highlighting the narrow margins that characterize the competition this season.

As Arsenal prepares for a crucial match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, the significance of the encounter has increased due to a disappointing stretch that has seen the team secure only one point from their last three outings.

Consecutive defeats to Bournemouth and Newcastle have raised concerns, leaving Arsenal outside the top four as they gear up to face Enzo Maresca’s formidable squad.

A recent 1-0 loss to Inter Milan marked the third defeat in six matches across all competitions.

Nevertheless, Arteta noted that other contenders, including Manchester City and Aston Villa, are also experiencing difficulties, with both teams having lost their last four games.

“I don’t see any teams in the Premier League that are significantly superior to their opponents,” he remarked.

“While Liverpool has shown consistency in their results, the margins are quite narrow. Winning is essential for everything—energy, belief, confidence, and creating a positive atmosphere.”

It fosters momentum and helps in all aspects, even if the victory isn’t entirely deserved.”

This recent downturn has sparked concerns regarding Arsenal’s capacity to compete on both domestic and European fronts, as they strive to end a 21-year title drought.

The team has struggled to find the back of the net in these matches, and the defeats at San Siro and St James’ Park were particularly notable for Arteta’s decision not to utilize Raheem Sterling as a substitute when goals were urgently needed.

The Chelsea loanee has had a limited influence at the Emirates since his transfer on deadline day, raising concerns that the 29-year-old may be facing a pivotal moment in his career.

When asked about his choice not to play Sterling against Newcastle and Inter, Arteta stated: “That’s a decision of mine, nothing to do with Raz. If someone made a mistake, it was me.

“It’s about the intuition you have, understanding how to exploit the opponent and selecting a different player and profile for that situation.”

Declan Rice is uncertain for the upcoming match against Chelsea due to a toe injury sustained in the game against Newcastle.

Additionally, Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz will undergo late fitness tests.

Conversely, Martin Odegaard may start at Stamford Bridge after returning as a substitute in Milan, having recovered from an ankle injury.

Arteta addressed the challenges posed by their schedule, remarking: “We’ve been accustomed to playing every three days, sometimes even every two and a half days; it has been incredibly demanding.

We have managed this despite numerous injuries. We are doing everything within our power.”

“We have improved our resources, and we have players who are familiar with this intensity and have experienced it before.

Now, we have several players who can handle this better, and if injuries are kind to us, we are well-prepared to manage the situation.”