Mikel Arteta issues new Arsenal title verdict after Pep Guardiola warning: 'What gives me belief...' | OneFootball

Arteta confident after Gunners ensure they will be top of Premier League at Christmas

Mikel Arteta has outlined what has given him “belief and confidence” that Arsenal can win the title after the Gunners ensured they will be top of the Premier League at Christmas.

A first-half penalty from Viktor Gyokores have Arsenal victory at Everton

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Arsenal failed to go on and lift the title after they were top at Christmas in 2022 and 2023.

But Arteta is confident they can capitalise on their advantage and lift the trophy this season.

Arteta said: “What gives me belief and confidence is the level of performance and the consistency of that.

“That's very, very difficult to do in this league and that means that the team is constantly there. Enjoy the process of winning and you're going to have to go to difficult places, you're going to have difficult moments, we have dealt with a lot of things already and we are there.

“And what we're going to do is work for the next game, try to improve and make sure that everybody is with that spirit and energy and enjoying that.”

That message from Arteta came after an unhappy Guardiola warned his players after they brushed aside West Ham with two goals from Erling Haaland and one from Tijjani Reijnders.

Guardiola wanted City will not win the title unless they improve, saying their positional play would have to get better if they were serious about winning a seventh title in ten seasons.

“The way we play with the ball, we have to improve - otherwise it will not be enough to arrive in March, April to be contenders to win the title,” said Guardiola.

Pep Guardiola was unhappy with his Manchester City players after their win against West Ham

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“I said to the players, 'So, Merry Christmas for everyone'. But it will not be enough if we don't improve.

“Defensively, we are improving. We are visualising it with the ball. But the way you attack depends on how the opponents defend and you have to be in the right spots and positions to be more fluid and we were not.

“Don't misunderstand me - I am delighted, happy, they and these guys are top, they follow us and give their life.

“But if they want to reach the next step, if they [opponents] play in a diamond like today or five at the back or four, there are spaces in different ways and you have to be in the right spots. The positional game will define the team. Today it was not good.”