Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes that Aston Villa have a chance of winning the Premier League title following a terrific run of form.Â
The two sides meet at Villa Park on Saturday with kick off set for 12.30pm BST and just six points separating them in the table.
After enduring a poor start to the campaign, Villans have won eight of their last nine top-flight matches to rocket up the table. They sit third in the standings with 24 points after 14 games.
Unai Emery’s men can halve the deficit to the Gunners with a win, but victory for the north London outfit would burnish their title ambitions.
“Every time you win a game obviously you are a little bit closer to your objective and it is the only thing we can do,” Arteta said in his pre-match press conference.
“We have to focus on performing, preparing really well for tomorrow so we know the kind of game we are going to play and be ready to fulfill our potential.”
The Basque native does not believe his compatriot in the opposite dugout does not need any extra motivation to beat the club he used to manager.
“When you look at Unai and his career, his motivation level everywhere and the impact he has done has always been remarkable. So that’s a question for him, but in my opinion he never needs anything extra, I think he has got enough in himself.”
Asked what kind of statement a victory over Villa would make, Arteta responded: “Consistency; playing at the highest level and winning another game.
“We go back to the same question after games in the Champions League or last weekend because that is the nature of the games we face, and exactly how you have to take it every game.”
Arteta believes that any team in Villa’s position should be considered a viable challenger for the Premier League title.
“Look where they are already,” he pointed out. “If they continue doing what they have been doing then any team in that position has chances, for sure.”
Asked if he believes rival managers are playing mind games with him, Arteta replied: “I don’t know, I think each manager gives his opinion and that’s it. We have to respect that, and that’s it.”
Read – Premier League Team of the Week – Foden, Ampadu, Romero
See Also – Premier League Awards: Romero’s rescue act, Fabulous Foden
