A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Arsene Wenger gives his verdict on the title race and Manchester City star Rodri fires the Gunners a warning for Sunday’s fixture.
Eddie Nketiah admits what’s ‘tough’ about playing for Mikel Arteta
Academy graduate Eddie Nketiah has admitted that it can be ‘tough’ to play at striker under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal. The 24-year-old has struggled to hold down a role in the Spaniard’s plans so far this season. But he is committed to helping the side whenever he gets a chance.
Nketiah has only started 10 of his 24 Premier League appearances this term and he has not scored since October. The London native last hit home when he fired a hat-trick at home to Sheffield United. It took Nketiah up to five goals but he has not scored in his last 14 outings.
Arteta has also left Nketiah on Arsenal’s bench in their past two Premier League games with the Blades and Brentford. But the forward is happy to play whatever role the Gunners coach asks of him. Even though Nketiah admits Arteta’s demands can be challenging for the striker.
Nketiah has told The Telegraph: “It’s a tough role but something I enjoy playing. I think it all depends on the type of game and what the manager wants, where the spaces will be.
“You can have good days and bad days. But I try to give my best to help the team every time I step out there. I’m at a stage in my career where I’m comfortable dropping deeper, coming to feet and arriving in goal-scoring positions – but also being on the shoulder of the last man because I can get in behind to threaten defences.”
Read more about what Nketiah has had to say about his role at Arsenal, here.
Man City star Rodri sends Arsenal a ‘very important’ warning
Manchester City star Rodri has warned Arsenal that losing at Etihad Stadium this Sunday can deal the Gunners a mental blow in the Premier League title race. Arteta takes his team up to the Citizens leading the table through 28 games. But Pep Guardiola’s side are a point behind.
Arsenal have also not won at Etihad Stadium in the Premier League since Wenger took a 2-0 win in January 2015. Goals from Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud gifted the Gunners all three points that day. But the Citizens have won each of their past seven encounters on home soil.
Now, Rodri warns Arsenal that an eighth defeat in succession at Etihad Stadium could hand Manchester City a crucial edge in the title race. He doubts Sunday’s meeting will decide the title race with nine more games to go but it could go a long way to ending Arsenal’s dreams.
“It’s a very, very important match,” Rodri said, via the Independent. “I’m not saying it’s going to be decisive but it will be very important for the mental fight. If we are able to beat them, it will be very important for our confidence – and we will show them that we are here again.
Read more about what Rodri has said ahead of Manchester City vs Arsenal, here.
Arsene Wenger backs Arsenal to win the Premier League title
Iconic Arsenal coach Wenger has told Invincibles hero Freddie Ljungberg that Arteta’s side can win the Premier League title in 2023/24. The Gunners are currently fighting for their first top-flight crown since the Frenchman’s team went the full campaign unbeaten 20 years ago.
Arsenal have only finished as the runners-up three times over the past two decades, as well, including last term. Arteta led the Emirates Stadium outfit in a surprise fight in 2022/23. But their bid fell five points short as Manchester City sealed their third successive championship.
Now, Manchester City are striving to become the first team to win four Premier League titles in a row. But Wenger does not feel Guardiola’s team are as dominant as they were last term. So, the door is open for Arteta to end Arsenal’s wait to win their fourth Premier League title.
“I think so, yes,” Wenger told Ljungberg for Viaplay. “The next game will be a little decider because we go to Man City, but why not? City are always a difficult team to play but not maybe as dominant as they were last year at the moment. But they can always come back.”
Read more about what Wenger has said before Arsenal’s trip to Manchester City, here.