Mikel Arteta asks Arsenal players to focus

DBasia.news – Arsenal are in a hot position and there is no doubt about that. The Gunners did not give Manchester City a gap to overtake them in the top row of the Premier League standings.

Most recently, Arsenal won 1-0 over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and returned to the top of the standings with 34 points from 13 points, 2 points adrift of Man City in second place. This fact made fans thrilled, but also a test for Arsenal.

The reason is that Arsenal have been able to appear as competitive as they are now, plus in Mikel Arteta’s third year coaching the club. Besides that, the 2022-2023 season is still ahead and there is the 2022 World Cup taking place in the middle of the season, anything can happen.

Especially the 2022 World Cup is in sight and will start on November 20. This week will be the last for European clubs to play in local leagues or tournaments, before entering the break for the World Cup.

This week Arsenal will play Brighton & Hove Albion in the third round of the League Cup, Thursday (10/11) at 02.45 WIB, and at the weekend play away to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League match, Sunday (13/11) at 2:45 a.m WIB.

Arsenal were asked to focus by Arteta in both games, as he knew that at this time the focus of his players could be disrupted due to the 2022 World Cup.

“Obviously there is a lot of attention and a lot of media coverage. I’m sure they get a lot of questions, a lot of people have approached them as they are close, it’s only a matter of days now (before the World Cup),” said Arteta as quoted by Standard Sports.

“And you can’t stop that, but obviously we want to keep our players focused on the work they have to do for the club in the next two games.”

“We need to clearly understand the risks and rewards we have, but at the same time we cannot treat any competition any differently.”

“We wanted to win again because also, playing well helps to win, and winning helps to win. It keeps the mood, maintains the momentum, the confidence, the belief, the involvement of everyone and that only benefits in every aspect,” addedArteta.