Mikel Arteta interview: Arsenal manager believes Gunners deserved to win last two Premier League titles and has belief they can catch Liverpool | Football News happymamay

Mikel Arteta believes his Arsenal side should have two Premier League titles to their name given the standards they have achieved in recent seasons – and the fact they are empty-handed gives the Gunners boss belief that his side can catch Liverpool.

Arsenal, led by Arteta, spent the past two seasons competing with Manchester City for the top spot, scoring 84 and 89 points, but settled for the runner-up medal on both occasions.

This season, City are out of the picture but Liverpool enter what looks like a pivotal weekend at the top of the Premier League table by six points with a game in hand. Arsenal travel to Brighton on Saturday, before Liverpool host Manchester United the following day – both matches live Sky Sports.

Asked by Sky Sports On how to block out the noise indicating that Arsenal are very far from the top this season, Arteta replied: “Winning and performing the way we are today, regardless of what happens with the team and focusing on the things that we can control.” Every day – taking care of it.

“Because what can Liverpool do? We were in this situation. Two years ago we had 50 points in the first leg and then we couldn’t win the league. It can happen to any team, it’s very difficult.”

“We’re only halfway there, and the amount of talk we’ve spent weeks and weeks and weeks talking about the title race? That’s nonsense.

“Because there are a lot of games to play and in this league, it can be one, two or three [results] And everything is changed. We have to be ready.”

Asked what Arteta had learned from the past two seasons, he replied: “You can always do better and you can always improve. With these numbers, you usually win and we should have two Premier League titles.”

“The reality is we’re not doing that, so there’s more motivation, more enthusiasm, more enthusiasm to say: Can we still look at our team and say we can be better? My answer is yes in every department, so let’s do it.”

Arteta: Nwaniri wants to be the protagonist

Arsenal signing a striker between now and the end of the January transfer window could be crucial to the Gunners’ hopes of reaching the top of the Premier League by the end of May.

The north Londoners’ need for extra firepower has been heightened by Bukayo Saka’s long-term injury, whose hamstring injury before Christmas will keep him out of action for more than two months.

“It’s normal for that to happen,” Arteta said of the constant questions surrounding the transfer window at this time of year.

“There is an opportunity to improve the team, bring in players who you think can make an impact. We are always open to that.

“But that’s one part. The main part is: How can we get more out of the team and people we have and put the focus there?”

One person who has contributed to Saka’s absence is Ethan Nwaneri, with the 17-year-old becoming Arsenal’s third-youngest starter in Premier League history when he started in the 3-1 win over Brentford on New Year’s Day.

The teenager started at Saka’s right-wing position and had a major role in Arsenal’s third goal – and Arteta believes Nwaniri has the character to play regularly for his team.

“The main thing is: Don’t look at his birthday,” Arteta said. “This is very important because when you start looking at his age, there are always restrictions. This is not fair to the player.

“This is what we see every day: how he trains and how he prepares himself, the way his teammates look at him and how much they trust him. When a player is like that, the quality he has, the understanding he has.” And the character he has to play, he needs a chance and he deserves it.

“Off the field, he’s very humble, very polite and calm. On the field? A complete transformation. ‘Give me the ball, I want to be the hero, I want to make things happen’. He’s really brave.”

Watch Brighton and Arsenal live on Sky Sports Premier League on Monday Night Football from 5pm; Kick-off at 5.30pm