Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta downplayed the reation of his squad to Liverpool’s run of four straight defeats, although conceded that the “narrative” swirling around the results is impossible to ignore.
The contrast in form between Arsenal and Liverpool over the past month could not be more stark. While Arne Slot’s defending Premier League champions have slumped to their worst run of form in 11 years, the Gunners are on a five-match winning streak.
The nature of these victories—which have been against opponents who took points off Arsenal last season—makes this purple patch all the sweeter for Arteta and his players. However, the control-conscious head coach isn’t getting blinded by a strong spell in autumn just yet.
Ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Atlético Madrid on Tuesday night, with two days to let Saturday’s victory over Fulham sink in, Arteta was asked if his players had an extra spring in their step. “I haven’t noticed that,” he assured assembled reporters, “but obviously, there is a lot of narrative afterwards.
“But that’s it,” Arteta continued, “every game in this league is a must-win and a very difficult game to win, and we’re all very appreciative of that, so you don’t get carried away with any of that.”
Arteta knows better than most how fragile a lead at the Premier League summit can be. Arsenal spent 248 days in first place during the 2022–23 campaign yet still finished second to Manchester City, the same position they would hold at the end of 2023–24 despite leading the league with just a fortnight to play.
There was more of a gap up to Liverpool last term and even though Slot’s side are far from the polished machine of last year, Arteta remains defiantly po-faced.
