Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal must relish being in a title competition after spending years watching rival teams compete for English football’s ultimate prize.
After a spectacular run of form in the second half of the season, Arsenal might end their 20-year wait for the Premier League championship if Manchester City falters in one of their next three games.
While Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering squad still controls Arsenal’s fate, Arteta is keen to push them all the way with a victory over Manchester United on the last day of the season.
“We are right in it with two games to go. We need to do what we have to do,” he told Arsenal.com.
“We need to go to Old Trafford and perform really well to earn the right to win the game, and if we do that we’re going to be another step closer, but there’s still a lot to do.”
“I’m just in a state at the moment where I just think how I have to feel right now to be in the best place to beat Manchester United.
“I’m really enjoying the journey to win. We weren’t in this position for many years and we are right now and I think it’s our duty, our obligation, to really enjoy it, be the best we can be and see where it takes us.”
Arsenal have already equalled their highest-ever tally of goals and wins in a Premier League campaign and with a couple of wins would fall just a point shy of the club’s best points total for a 38-game campaign.
Another noticeable improvement has come in matches against the traditional ‘Big Six’ with Arteta’s squad set to top that mini-league no matter what happens at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The four points apiece taken from showdowns with City and Liverpool is particularly promising given an abject recent record against the pair.
“We are improving. When you look at the numbers in position with the top teams, it’s really positive,” said Arteta.
“You need that – those head-to-head games become super important as you can see in the league table and it means that we are improving.
“It’s a challenge but at the same time, it’s very inspiring. When you have two of the best managers in the world [Guardiola and Klopp] with two huge clubs, competing and facing them in their eyes and willing to be better than them, you learn from it.
“You challenge yourself and seek excellence because it’s the only way to try to beat them.”
