Mikel Arteta has firmly batted away any premature comparisons between his current Arsenal side and the legendary Invincibles, insisting his team must "win consistently" and lift trophies before such talk is valid.
Focus on Silverware, Not History
The Gunners boss made his position clear ahead of Thursday night's pivotal Premier League clash with champions Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium. Despite his team sitting top of the table with more points and goals at this stage than the famed 2003-04 side managed, Arteta is taking nothing for granted.
When directly asked if his current crop are as good as Arsene Wenger's unbeaten champions, Arteta's response was unequivocal. "No, because the Invincibles won a lot," he 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." His focus remains solely on ensuring silverware is secured when the season concludes.
Respect for Struggling Liverpool
Arsenal's opponents, Liverpool, find themselves in a starkly different position. Their title defence has faltered, leaving them a significant 14 points behind Arsenal ahead of the meeting in North London. The Reds spent over £400 million on new talent last summer, but Arteta refused to be drawn on their disappointing campaign.
"I don't know," he said when asked if he was surprised by the gap. "But I think the previous year they didn’t spend much and they managed to win the Premier League. That’s football... At the end, you need a lot of things to go your way to be champions, and almost everything has to be perfect."
He was full of praise for Liverpool and their manager Arne Slot, warning of the threat they still pose. "They have a great manager, they have a sensational structure," Arteta noted, emphasising the small margins in the Premier League.
Havertz Boost for Gunners
In a positive update for Arsenal, Arteta confirmed that forward Kai Havertz is close to a return. "He's very close. He trained this morning again," the manager revealed, adding that the club is carefully monitoring his load after a period out. His potential availability provides a welcome boost as Arsenal look to strengthen their title credentials against the reigning champions.
The stage is set for a crucial encounter at the Emirates. While the table suggests a gulf, Arteta's cautious approach and respect for the opposition underline the relentless pressure and fine margins that define a Premier League title race. For him, history is written with trophies, not comparisons.
