Arsenal must perform a miracle to catch up with Liverpool in the Premier League. However, coach Mikel Arteta remains hopeful and determined.
Mikel Arteta remains defiant despite Arsenal facing an uphill battle in the Premier League title race.
The Gunners suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat against West Ham United last weekend, while Liverpool secured another victory, widening the gap between the two sides. Arsenal now trails the league leaders by eleven points, although they still have a game in hand. The recent slip-up has put their title ambitions under severe scrutiny, with many questioning whether Arteta's side can realistically mount a comeback in the remaining weeks of the season.
Ahead of their crucial match against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, February 26, at 20:30, Arteta addressed the media with a passionate response. "Over my dead body. If I stop believing, I might as well go home," he declared, making it clear that he refuses to give up on the title race. Despite the odds being stacked against them, Arteta remains convinced that Arsenal can still put up a fight as they aim to close the gap on Liverpool in the coming weeks. His defiant stance reflects a deep-rooted belief in his squad, but Arsenal will need a near-perfect run of results combined with Liverpool and Manchester City dropping points to make up ground in the title chase.
Adding to their challenges, Arsenal is struggling with injuries, but according to Arteta, that cannot be an excuse. "Theoretically, it is still possible. A few days ago, we had the chance to close the gap. We just have to keep going because if you want to become champions, you have to do something special. But in our case, we would have to achieve something that no one has ever done before in the history of the Premier League." The Spaniard's words highlight the difficulty of the task ahead, but also serve as a rallying cry to his players, urging them to find a way to turn their season around.
The current injury crisis is undoubtedly a major concern for Arteta. Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli are all sidelined with injuries, forcing the Arsenal manager to make significant adjustments to his squad. These absences have particularly affected Arsenal’s attacking options, leaving the team without key goal scorers and playmakers at a crucial juncture in the season. In their last match against West Ham United, Arteta was forced to deploy midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker, an experiment that did not yield the desired results. Without their usual firepower up front, Arsenal struggled to break down a well-organized West Ham defense, leading to their costly defeat.
The pressure is mounting on Arsenal, not just in the Premier League but also in Europe. On Tuesday, March 4, PSV and Arsenal will face off in Eindhoven in the Champions League Round of 16, a fixture that represents one of the biggest tests of the season for Arteta’s men. The return leg is scheduled for Wednesday, March 12, in London. The winner of the tie will go on to face either Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid, making the stakes even higher. Given Arsenal’s aspirations of competing at the highest level in Europe, they must approach these matches with full intensity, despite their domestic struggles.
In addition to their physical challenges, Arsenal must also overcome the psychological burden of their recent slip-ups. Earlier in the season, they were seen as serious title contenders, but inconsistency has crept into their performances. Dropped points against lower-ranked teams have cost them dearly, and now they find themselves in a position where even a flawless run of form might not be enough to overtake Liverpool at the top. With Manchester City also lurking just behind, Arsenal could soon find themselves not just out of the title race, but fighting to secure their place in the top three.
Arteta, however, remains firm in his belief that his squad has the character and quality to respond positively. His confidence in his players has been a cornerstone of his managerial philosophy, and he will be hoping that his words inspire a resurgence. Arsenal’s fans, while disappointed by recent results, still have faith in the project Arteta has built over the past few seasons, and the coming weeks will be decisive in determining whether this campaign ends in triumph or frustration.
As Arsenal prepares for their next fixtures, the challenges ahead are clear. They must overcome their injury crisis, rediscover their attacking rhythm, and find a way to put pressure on Liverpool in the title race. The margin for error is slim, and every match from now on carries immense significance. Whether Arteta’s defiance translates into a remarkable turnaround remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Arsenal cannot afford any more missteps if they still hope to challenge for silverware this season.
