LONDON: Mikel Arteta says Arsenal must “flip that coin” as they hunt down Premier League leaders Liverpool in a quest to be crowned champions of England after two agonizing near-misses.
The second-placed Gunners, runners-up to Manchester City over the past two seasons, are six points behind Arne Slot’s rampaging Liverpool, who have a game in hand, having played half their league fixtures.
Stumbles in October and early November left Arsenal playing catch-up and Arteta on Friday pleaded for consistency from his men, who travel to face mid-table Brighton on Saturday.
“We have to show the same level of consistency and a bit more, because the last year we have been the best team in the league, broken various records and still haven’t won a major trophy, so something is missing,” said the Spaniard.
“It’s going to be very thin, small details, you can pick up certain games and situations. But at the end, we’re so close and we just have to flip that coin to the other side to make it happen.
“That’s only going to happen if we do what we have to do and what we can control. The rest is out of our hands.”
Arsenal are bidding to win their first Premier League title since 2004 but are set to be without Bukayo Saka until March after the England winger suffered a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace last month.
“There’s not one player that’s going to play nine games in a row in that position, it’s impossible,” said Arteta.
He added: “We need more threat, we need more players fit and rotation in that unit. In relation to that, we will make decisions and as well, players’ performances, that’s simple.”
The Arsenal boss said he was unsure whether the club would strengthen in the January transfer window.
“The focus is on the players that we have,” he said. “When something is in the market that we can afford and believe is going to have a real impact on the team, we have to be open to that possibility.
“We have the ability to change the squad in the windows, but at the moment the focus is on what we have.”
Arsenal must ‘flip coin’ in Premier League title race, says Arteta
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Arsenal must ‘flip coin’ in Premier League title race, says Arteta
- Mikel Arteta says Arsenal must “flip that coin” as they hunt down Premier League leaders Liverpool in a quest to be crowned champions of England after two agonizing near-misses
Forever Young to defend Saudi Cup crown from stall 6
- Trainer Yoshito Yahagi happy with position for 2025 hero at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday
RIYADH: Forever Young (JPN) will emerge from gate six when bidding to defend his group one $20-million Saudi Cup crown at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday.
The reigning champion was the penultimate horse to be given a barrier and only five or six remained when Japanese trainer Yoshito Yahagi picked out the starting berth.
“I think six is a good number,” Yahagi said. “We don’t have to change anything with tactics. Honestly, I feel a lot of pressure on my shoulders bringing a defending champion but Forever Young doesn’t feel any pressure at all.”
American Hall of Famer Bob Baffert is in Riyadh and Flavien Prat will guide Nysos (US) from gate 12, while Irad Ortiz Jr. and Nevada Beach (US) have drawn gate seven.
“I’d rather be on the outside than the inside,” Baffert said after drawing the wide gate for Nysos.
“As long as the horse shows up that is more important. I think he is a really good horse and has always shown brilliance, he’s a trier and knows where the wire is. From the outside he will have a clear run.”
“Gate seven is good for Nevada Beach too. We just didn’t want to be in the one-hole,” Baffert added.
Last year’s fifth-place finisher Rattle N Roll (US) raced from seven on that occasion but this time around Joel Rosario will steer Kenny McPeek’s 6-year-old from stall 11.
Kyoko Maekawa drew stall one for Sunrise Zipangu (JPN) who will be ridden by Oisin Murphy. The Japan Racing Association’s first female trainer was Yahagi’s assistant in Saudi Arabia when Panthalassa (JPN) won The Saudi Cup from stall one in 2023.
Noriyuki Hori’s Luxor Cafe (US) has a wider starting point in barrier 10.
Leading local contender Mhally (GB) will break from stall 13. “We are very happy with that draw, we wanted something on the outside,” said Sheikh Faisal Al-Sabah, son of owner Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Al-Sabah.
“Hopefully he proves himself on Saturday.”
Banishing (US) was described as a horse with “a heart of gold” by trainer David Jacobson’s son, Zachary, and the American raider will break from stall three, while the Brad Cox-trained Bishops Bay (US) will come from nine.
The Saad Aljenade-trained Star Of Wonder (US) will start from the same stall five that Emblem Road (US) won the race, while his stable companion Haqeet (US) is inside that in box two under Mickael Barzalona.
Ryan Moore is a notable jockey booking for the Sami Alharabi-trained Ameerat Alzamaan (GB) who breaks from four.
Thundersquall (GB) will start from the widest draw of all in 14 for trainer Muteb Almulawah and jockey Danny Tudhope, while Tumbarumba (US) and James Doyle will begin the richest race in the world from eight for Hamad Al-Jehani and Wathnan Racing.
