Arsenal sent Man City reminder Mikel Arteta must be wary of amid Premier League title battle

Manchester City have a warning for Arsenal despite the Gunners gaining two points on their title rivals following Chelsea draw.

Arsenal were boosted on Saturday following Premier League action in which they secured a 5-0 away win over Burnley whilst rivals Manchester City dropped points in their home clash with Chelsea. The Gunners moved into second place and their goal difference rose to five better than Pep Guardiola’s side and one above Liverpool who remain two points ahead.

Mikel Arteta remains calm over the club’s title chances, preferring to focus on simply the next game as opposed to looking further ahead. On the horizon lies the pivotal clash with Manchester City at the end of March, however, there remain tests with Newcastle United and Chelsea to come – with a Champions League last-16 tie with FC Porto inter-spliced between them.

“We cannot think about that, we have to think about playing with energy, with enthusiasm and aggression in every game,” Arteta said following the Burnley win. “There’s still so far [to go] – the only thing is to maintain this momentum, to earn the right to win games and the focus is there. What is coming afterwards, we’ll see.”

There is good reason for this because he will know too well what happened on this date one year ago. Arsenal were in a great position having just won 4-2 at Aston Villa thanks to two late goals from Emi Martinez (own goal) and Gabriel Martinelli.

On the way home, the team watched on as Nottingham Forest took two points off rivals Manchester City. A jubilant evening of fan celebrations commenced as they made their way back from Villa Park.

However, this day would mark the final time that Man City would drop points in the league. Guardiola’s side would mechanically and monotonously secure victory in every single game until Arsenal would themselves lose at the City Ground to crown their rivals champions. This is what they are capable of and the Gunners simply, at least not then, were not.

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City have drawn once again, dropping points as Arsenal win away from home. However, there is something different this time that will hopefully encourage Arteta and his squad.

Whereas last year they would lose the likes of William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu to injury, this time, the squad is ready to be bolstered. Tomiyasu is on the mend and could soon make his way back into the side along with Fabio Vieira, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus, Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber.

Arsenal, this time, are the chasers rather than being the chased and the role might suit them far better, putting the pressure on their rivals rather than having them breathing down their necks. Next up in the league is Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium and a chance to put right the wrongs that went against them at St James’ Park.

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