Mikel Arteta has firmly batted away any premature comparisons between his current Arsenal side and the legendary 'Invincibles' of 2003-04, insisting his team must first prove their mettle by winning silverware. The Gunners boss made his stance clear ahead of a pivotal Premier League clash with champions Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night.
Focus on Silverware, Not History
Despite Arsenal sitting top of the table with more points and goals at this stage than the famous unbeaten side of two decades ago, Arteta is taking nothing for granted. When directly asked if his current crop are as good as Arsene Wenger's iconic squad, his response was unequivocal. "No, because the Invincibles won a lot," Arteta stated at his pre-match press conference. "And they won consistently, and they created a history and a legacy, and we have to do that."
The Spaniard emphasised that the sole focus at the club is on ensuring the season ends with tangible success. With Liverpool visiting North London, Arteta knows his league leaders have a prime opportunity to strengthen their title credentials, but he refuses to be drawn into historical parallels.
Respect for Liverpool Despite Points Gap
The context of Thursday's fixture is unusual, with Liverpool's title defence having faltered. The Reds arrive a significant 14 points behind Arsenal, a surprising position given their summer spending spree of over £400 million on new talent. However, Arteta was full of praise for the opposition and their manager, Arne Slot.
"The margins I think for all of us are really small," Arteta said. "They have a great manager, they have a sensational structure." He warned that Liverpool's ability to adapt their style makes them a specific and dangerous threat, requiring Arsenal's full concentration on their own performance.
Quizzed on whether Liverpool's struggles were surprising, Arteta pointed to the unpredictable nature of the sport. "I think the previous year they didn’t spend much and they managed to win the Premier League. That’s football," he noted. "At the end, you need a lot of things to go your way to be champions, and almost everything has to be perfect."
Havertz Boost and Title Race Reality
In a positive update for Arsenal, Arteta confirmed that Kai Havertz is in contention to feature against Liverpool. The German international trained on Wednesday morning and is being carefully monitored. "He's very close. Hopefully we're going to have him available and the best version of himself," Arteta revealed.
Despite the narrative around Liverpool's expenditure, Arteta concluded by acknowledging a fundamental truth of the modern Premier League. He suggested that sustained investment, particularly in wages and player quality, typically leads to success over time. "That’s the history of the Premier League," he stated, indicating it is a pattern seen repeatedly in the competition's history.
As the North London showdown looms, Arteta's message is clear: history is written by winners, and his Arsenal side must now focus solely on writing their own chapter, starting with a crucial victory over the reigning champions.
