Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes it’s too early to discount Manchester United or Manchester City from the Premier League title race, as he prepares his second-placed Arsenal team to face United, now led by Ruben Amorim, on Wednesday.
Despite United’s inconsistent start to the season, which saw Erik ten Hag replaced by Amorim, Mikel Arteta emphasized the unpredictable nature of the league.
United currently sit 15 points behind league leaders Liverpool and four points adrift of the top four, but the Arsenal boss insists a comeback is still possible.
“Any team capable of putting together five or six wins in a row can be in the mix,” Arteta said during his pre-match press conference. “The league is so tough; you see how difficult it is for teams to maintain consistency. Anything can happen.”
Mikel Arteta also refused to write off Manchester City despite Pep Guardiola’s side losing their past four league games, leaving them 11 points off the pace.
“If there’s one team capable of turning things around with the quality they have, it’s City,” Mikel Arteta remarked. “You can’t rule them out because of what they’ve proven in the past.”
Arsenal host a rejuvenated Manchester United team, with Amorim implementing his tactical vision since taking charge. Arteta praised the Portuguese coach for making an immediate impact.
“You can already see Amorim’s influence and how he’s introducing his ideas. He was very successful at Sporting, and he’s brought that energy here,” Arteta said. “But our focus is on what we need to do.”
The Gunners are looking to extend their strong home record against United, who remain unbeaten under Amorim in three matches across all competitions.
This clash is also a prelude to an FA Cup showdown, where Arsenal and United have been drawn against each other in the third round, set for early next month.
Arteta welcomed the challenge, saying, “Playing against big teams is part of the story of this club in recent years. To win trophies, you have to beat the best. We’re ready and excited for the task ahead.”
As Arsenal aims to maintain their momentum and United seeks to climb the table under new leadership, Wednesday’s encounter promises to be a pivotal clash in shaping both teams’ campaigns.
